A devastating tragedy struck the heart of Bangladesh’s capital as a military fighter jet crashed into a school building in Dhaka on Monday, killing at least 27 people, the majority of whom were schoolchildren. Authorities say the Chinese-made F-7 BGI jet slammed into the Milestone School and College, transforming an ordinary afternoon into the nation’s deadliest air disaster in decades.
According to Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the updated death toll includes 25 children, the pilot, and another adult whose identity is yet to be confirmed.
“Seventy-eight people are currently receiving treatment in different hospitals across the city,” Rahman told reporters Tuesday morning. In total, more than 170 people were injured, many suffering from severe burns and trauma.
Routine Flight Turns Fatal
The Bangladesh military confirmed that the aircraft was on a routine training mission when the crash occurred. The pilot, identified as Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam, reportedly experienced a mechanical failure mid-flight.
In a statement released Monday evening, the military explained that Islam made every attempt to steer the aircraft away from populated areas, but the malfunction worsened rapidly. Despite his efforts, the jet crashed directly into the school’s two-storey building around 2:15 p.m. local time—just minutes after classes had ended for the day.
Witnesses described a scene of horror as the jet exploded on impact, sending flames, metal, and debris flying across the school compound and into neighboring residential areas.
Nation in Mourning
Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus declared Tuesday a day of national mourning, calling the crash a moment of “profound pain” for the nation.
In a heartfelt post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Yunus extended condolences to the bereaved families, describing the event as an “irreparable loss” to the country.
“The nation mourns with the families of the students, the brave pilot, and the staff of Milestone School and College,” Yunus wrote. “This is a dark day in our history.”
National flags were ordered to fly at half-mast, and vigils sprang up outside the school gates, where mourners laid flowers and lit candles for the young victims.
Search for Answers
As investigators begin to piece together the chain of events, questions loom over the safety protocols and operational standards of Bangladesh’s aging fleet of F-7 fighter jets—many of which were imported from China in the 1990s.
The Bangladesh Air Force has launched an official inquiry into the crash, promising a full investigation into the aircraft’s maintenance record, flight path, and emergency handling procedures.
A preliminary report is expected within days, although the full investigation could take weeks or even months.
Community Devastated
Parents rushed to hospitals and the school site in the aftermath, many overwhelmed with grief and confusion. Emergency responders and volunteers worked through the night, digging through rubble and transporting victims.
“We had just spoken to our daughter on the phone after school,” said one distraught parent outside a local hospital. “Now we’re told she’s gone.”
Classes at Milestone School and College have been suspended indefinitely, and counseling services are being offered to affected families.
Global Condolences
International leaders and foreign embassies in Dhaka have also expressed their condolences, with several governments offering support for the recovery and investigation efforts.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of this unspeakable tragedy, the streets of Dhaka remain somber—haunted by the echoes of children’s laughter that were silenced far too soon.
