BAF Jet Crashes into Dhaka School Campus
A Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI fighter jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Uttara, Dhaka, on Monday afternoon, killing at least 19 people and injuring around 170 others. The aircraft was on a routine training flight when it suffered a technical malfunction shortly after take-off.
Most Victims Were Students
The crash occurred at approximately 1:06 PM local time when the jet slammed into a two-storey school building during class hours. The dead include the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md Toukir Islam, and several students and staff members who were inside classrooms. Many of the injured sustained burns and trauma-related injuries and are being treated in hospitals across Dhaka.
Pilot Attempted to Divert
Eyewitnesses and early reports suggest that the pilot made a valiant attempt to divert the aircraft away from dense residential zones. Despite his efforts, the plane crashed into the educational institution, causing a large explosion followed by a fire that engulfed parts of the building.
Emergency Response Activated
Rescue teams, fire brigades, and medical services responded within minutes. The injured were transported to multiple hospitals, and blood donation appeals were issued immediately. Two platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh were deployed to assist in crowd control and evacuation.
Mourning and Investigation Ordered
The Bangladesh government has declared Tuesday a national day of mourning. Flags will be flown at half-mast in memory of the victims. A high-level military committee has been formed to investigate the cause of the crash and assess whether flight safety protocols were followed.
Questions on Urban Flight Safety
The crash has reignited debates over the risks of operating military aircraft near populated urban areas. Citizens and safety advocates have called for relocating training flight zones away from schools and residential neighborhoods to prevent future tragedies.
