A major tragedy was narrowly averted in Dhaka’s Diabari area on Monday afternoon when a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a building of Milestone School — just moments after classes had ended.
The incident took place around 1:15 PM in the Turag Police Station area. According to school sources, a class session had concluded only minutes before the crash. At the time, students from grades one through seven had been attending regular classes.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion, followed by thick smoke billowing from the building where the aircraft crashed. The jet struck the rooftop of the school’s canteen building, which soon caught fire.
“Had the class run even a few minutes longer, the outcome could have been catastrophic,” said a school staff member who wished to remain anonymous.
The crash caused immediate panic in the surrounding area. As news spread, parents and local residents rushed to the scene, many desperately searching for their children. Thankfully, most students had already left the building, according to school authorities.
Firefighters and Bangladesh Army personnel quickly responded to the emergency. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and the building has been evacuated. Eight fire units from Uttara, Tongi, Pallabi, Kurmitola, Mirpur, and Purbachal stations are working to control the fire and secure the area.
While one death has been confirmed and several injuries have been reported, the full extent of the casualties is yet to be disclosed. Officials say they are still assessing the situation and cannot yet confirm total figures.
The incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols near populated educational zones and sparked concern among guardians and educators alike.
