A heart-wrenching tragedy struck Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Monday afternoon as a Bangladesh Air Force plane crashed into a school, killing the pilot and at least 19 others.
Most of the victims were students of the Milestone School and College.
The military training aircraft, identified as a Chinese-made F-7 BGI jet, had just taken off before it reportedly developed a technical issue.
It crashed into a school building located in Uttara, a busy area in the capital.
The jet caught fire upon impact, setting off a loud explosion that sent panic through the neighborhood.
According to witnesses, students screamed and ran for safety as classrooms shook.
Officials reported that at least 171 students were rescued with various injuries, including burns and trauma.
Many were rushed away using helicopters, rickshaws, and even in the arms of parents and firefighters.
The Bangladesh Air Force plane crash occurred shortly after 1:06 p.m., moments after takeoff from the A.K. Khandaker air force base.
The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Mohammed Toukir Islam, attempted to avoid the densely packed area.
In a statement, the military confirmed, “Every effort [was made] to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas toward a more sparsely inhabited location.”
Despite his heroic efforts, the aircraft slammed into the two-story school building, leading to a major fire.
Smoke billowed into the air as terrified families and residents gathered at the crash site.
Students described the horror inside the classrooms.
One said the “buildings trembled violently,” before the blast rocked the entire school.
Meanwhile, hospitals nearby were overwhelmed with cries of grief.
One emergency responder said the situation was chaotic as many relatives searched frantically for their children.
The Milestone School and College is located in Dhaka’s Uttara neighborhood, not far from a metro station and surrounded by homes and shops.
Its location made the incident even more devastating due to the number of people around.
The military has promised to investigate the root cause of the accident.
Moreover, air force officials are reviewing safety procedures to prevent future disasters.
