Hundreds of students gathered outside the devastated Milestone School and College in Dhaka on Tuesday, seeking answers following a tragic accident in which a military jet crashed into the campus, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 people, including 25 children. The incident occurred on March 11, 2024, when a Bangladesh Air Force FT-7 jet experienced a mechanical failure shortly after taking off and plummeted into the school during afternoon classes.
The impact of the crash turned an ordinary school day into chaos. Witnesses reported flames and smoke engulfing the two-story building as young students were finishing their lessons and parents awaited their arrival. In addition to the fatalities, approximately 171 individuals suffered injuries, many of whom sustained severe burns. The incident has been described as the deadliest air accident in Bangladesh’s recent history, triggering national mourning across the country of 171 million.
As emergency personnel worked to clear the scene on Tuesday, students expressed their frustration and grief. Some voiced concerns that the official death toll might be understated. Government officials, however, have denied withholding information, according to Bangladesh’s state-run BSS News, which cited the Chief Adviser’s press office. The identities of the victims are still being confirmed.
Eyewitness Accounts Highlight the Horror
At the crash site, the emotional impact on witnesses was palpable. Mohammad Imran Hussein, a lecturer in the school’s English department, described the scene as harrowing. “We saw scattered parts of different bodies, of children, guardians,” he told CNN, visibly shaken. He explained that he was inside a building across the playground when the jet struck, recalling the “intolerable” sound of the crash and the sight of flames.
The Milestone College serves a diverse student body, including kindergarten and elementary students aged six to 13. Hussein described the destroyed building as a “death trap,” a sentiment echoed by 21-year-old high school student Sheik Rameen, who recalled trying to assist classmates in distress. “I saw a burnt child seeking help, but nobody came to help them,” he said.
According to BSS News, the FT-7 jet was conducting a routine training mission when the mechanical fault occurred around 13:18 local time (03:18 UTC). The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam, reportedly attempted to redirect the aircraft away from populated areas before the crash. The military has stated that the pilot made “every effort” to avoid civilian casualties.
Aftermath and Government Response
Images from the crash site depicted the wreckage lodged into the side of the scorched school, as emergency crews continued their operations. Following the incident, families rushed injured children to hospitals in Dhaka, where medical staff worked tirelessly to treat the severe burns caused by the fire. Many of the injured are children under the age of 12, according to resident surgeon Harunur Rashid at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
In a video message, Bangladesh’s interim government leader, Muhammad Yunus, expressed his sorrow, stating, “I have no words. I don’t know how to begin.” He lamented the tragic reality that unfolded, emphasizing the profound loss and the challenge of comforting grieving families. “What answer can we give to their parents?” he questioned, acknowledging the overwhelming grief shared by the nation.
As the recovery efforts continue, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of this devastating event. The call for accountability and thorough investigation into the crash resonates deeply among the grieving families and the nation at large, as they seek to understand how such a tragedy could have occurred on what was meant to be a safe and ordinary day at school.