BANGLADESH MILITARY JET CRASHES INTO SCHOOL, KILLS 19 AND INJURES OVER 160
A devastating accident occurred in Dhaka, Bangladesh, when a Bangladeshi Air Force training jet crashed into a school campus, killing at least 19 people and injuring over 160 others. The incident happened on Monday afternoon at approximately 1:06 PM local time, when the F-7 BGI aircraft took off for a routine training exercise but experienced a mechanical failure mid-air. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Taukir Islam Sagar, attempted to steer the malfunctioning aircraft away from densely populated areas, but unfortunately, it crashed into the Milestone School and College in the northern suburb of Uttara. The impact triggered a massive fire, with thick black smoke billowing from the school grounds. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and devastation, with one teacher, Rezaul Islam, saying, “The plane directly hit the building.” Another staff member, Masud Tarik, told Reuters, “When I looked back, I only saw fire and smoke… There were many guardians and kids here.” The school caters to students aged between four and eighteen, and many were in class or taking exams when the crash occurred. More than 50 people, including children, were rushed to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery with severe burn injuries. Emergency response teams, including nine fire units and six ambulances, were quickly deployed to the scene. Images from the site show firefighters and medics working through rubble while bystanders watched from nearby rooftops. Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow over the incident, saying, “This is a moment of deep sorrow for the nation. I wish the injured a speedy recovery and instruct all authorities, including the hospitals concerned, to deal with the situation with utmost importance.” The government has declared Tuesday a national day of mourning, with flags flying at half-mast across the country. An official investigation committee has been formed to determine the cause of the crash.