Bangladesh military plane crashes into school

A military training aircraft crashed into a school in Dhaka, resulting in at least 19 deaths and over 100 injuries.

Tragedy strikes Dhaka school as military jet crashes

Dhaka, Bangladesh — A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into Milestone School and College in the Uttara neighborhood shortly after takeoff on Monday. The incident killed at least 19 people, including the pilot and numerous students. The Chinese-made F-7 BGI jet took off at 1:06 p.m. local time but crashed moments later, causing a large fire that engulfed parts of the school campus. Many of the injured were students attending classes at the time. Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as parents frantically searched for their children and rescuers rushed the injured to hospitals. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed sorrow over the tragedy and promised a thorough investigation into the incident.

This crash highlights significant concerns about the safety practices within the Bangladesh Air Force, especially regarding aircraft maintenance and training protocols. With the military's previous incidents raising alarm, scrutiny will likely increase on both operational standards and transparency regarding air safety in the nation. The emotional aftermath for families and the broader community cannot be understated, as this tragedy brings to light the vulnerabilities faced by many Bangladeshi schools located near active flight paths.

Highlights

As the investigation unfolds, the nation mourns a devastating loss felt across all layers of society.