A tragic accident unfolded in Dhaka’s Uttara area on Monday afternoon when a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College in Diabari.
The incident occurred shortly after 1:00pm, reportedly during a routine training flight. The crash caused an immediate fire and resulted in a large number of casualties, including schoolchildren who were attending coaching classes at the time.
In response to the incident, the interim government has declared Tuesday a day of national mourning.
According to an official statement from the Press Wing of the Chief Adviser, the national flag will be kept at half-mast across all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private institutions, including educational establishments and Bangladeshi missions abroad.
Additionally, special prayers will be held in all religious institutions for those affected by the tragedy.
Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft struck a classroom directly, leading to a rapid spread of fire throughout part of the building.
A college official said that approximately 100 to 150 students were present during the impact. Firefighters, army personnel, and law enforcement agencies quickly responded to the scene and initiated rescue operations.
The Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) confirmed the crash and the ongoing emergency response.
By 3:30pm, at least 28 individuals had been admitted to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, most of them suffering severe burn injuries.
The victims include several teenagers and children, some in critical condition. Due to overcrowding at the emergency unit, some patients had to be shifted to other departments.
The entire nation has been shaken by the incident, with shock and grief pouring in from various quarters, including prominent public figures.
As rescue efforts continue, the scale of the devastation is becoming clearer, casting a deep shadow over the country and its people.
