Dhaka (Bangladesh) Jul 22: In one of the deadliest air disasters in Bangladesh’s recent history, 25 schoolchildren were killed when a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a school campus in Dhaka’s Uttara on Monday.
Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that the total death toll has reached 27, which also includes the aircraft’s pilot and a schoolteacher.
Why Children Were the Worst Hit
The crash occurred at approximately 1:30 PM, during regular school hours, when the classrooms at Milestone School and College were full of students.
The F-7 BGI aircraft, used for training missions, lost control shortly after takeoff at 1:06 PM and smashed into the two-story school building—setting off a fire that swept through classrooms filled with young students.
“Most of the victims were children under the age of 12 who suffered severe burn injuries,” said Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief advisor at the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in Dhaka.
Classrooms Engulfed in Flames
According to Brigadier General Mohammad Zahed Kamal, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence, the building’s layout worsened the situation.
“Third and fourth graders were in class on the first floor, and second and fifth graders were upstairs. A coaching session and a staff meeting were also in progress when the jet crashed,” he said.
The impact caused a massive blaze, and many children were trapped inside classrooms, unable to escape before the fire spread.
Hospitals Overcrowded
At least 78 people are currently being treated in various hospitals, five of whom are in critical condition.
“We are doing our best, but several patients remain in life-threatening condition,” Rahman noted. He added that 20 bodies have been handed over to their families, while six remain unidentified—DNA samples have been collected for verification.
Low Blood Needs But Urgent ICU Support
Rahman also mentioned that while the injured children require less blood due to their age, intensive care facilities are critical. “The ICU at Bangladesh Medical University is on full alert,” he added.
Swift Rescue Efforts, But Too Late for Many
Emergency services, including members of the Bangladesh Army and eight fire engines, arrived at the site quickly after the crash. Despite their efforts, the intense fire and collapsing structure made rescue operations difficult.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported a total of 171 injuries from the incident. The full impact of this disaster is still unfolding, but the loss of so many young lives has plunged the nation into mourning. (Edited)
