Tragedy Strikes: Air Force Jet Crashes into School in Dhaka, Leaving 20 Dead

Year 10 student Farhan Hasan witnessed the horrifying crash that killed his best friend and many others at his school in Dhaka. The armed forces attributed the crash to a mechanical fault, and an investigation has been launched as the country mourns the tragic loss of lives.

Year 10 student Farhan Hasan had just wrapped up an exam and stepped out of the classroom, laughter mingling with the air, when disaster struck. A Bangladeshi air force training jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Dhaka, leaving at least 20 people dead and injuring over 170. "The burning plane was hitting the building right in front of my eyes," Hasan recounted in a heart-wrenching interview with BBC Bangla.

Footage from the chaotic scene reveals massive flames and thick smoke billowing after the aircraft struck the two-storey building. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam, was among the fatalities, which included many parents present to pick up their children at the end of the school day. "In front of my eyes... the plane went right over his head," Hasan lamented, referring to his best friend who perished in the crash.

Teachers like Rezaul Islam remarked on the instant horror of the moment, describing the aircraft hitting the building directly, while Masud Tarik recalled hearing an explosion that was quickly followed by flames and smoke. In the aftermath, panicked crowds gathered in the densely populated area as ambulances and volunteers scrambled to assist those injured, with at least 30 ambulances observed transporting wounded individuals to various nearby hospitals.

As news of victims began to unfold, families such as Shah Alam's were left grieving; his 14-year-old nephew, Tanvir Ahmed, was confirmed dead. "My beloved nephew is in the morgue right now," he shared, visibly shaken alongside the boy's father. Doctors reported that most victims were minors, primarily between the ages of 9 and 14, with many suffering burns.

In a show of community solidarity, numerous individuals arrived at the hospital to donate blood while leaders from prominent political parties visited the injured. The Bangladesh health ministry disclosed that victims were being admitted to seven different hospitals, with an official day of mourning declared by the interim government set for Tuesday, during which flags will be flown at half-mast.

Amid the grief, the pilot's efforts to steer the jet towards a less populated area post-mechanical fault were acknowledged in the armed forces' statement. An official investigation committee has been formed to scrutinize the incident's cause. Muhammad Yunus, leader of Bangladesh's interim government, expressed deep sorrow for the nation while pledging support for the injured and the families affected by this calamity.