A Bangladesh air force aircraft, F-7, had crashed into the building of Milestone School and College, a private school located in the northern Dhaka neighborhood, Uttara, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 100, reportedly.
The crash occurred at around 1:30 pm when the fighter craft took off at 1:06 pm from the air force base in Dhaka’s Kurmitola for a routine training session, but it abruptly experienced mechanical failure soon after. The pilot attempted to divert the plane from the crowded zone but was unsuccessful, leading to the tragic accident. According to the website, about 6000 children are enrolled in the school.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party made a statement about the crash on X: “We are deeply heartbroken by the tragic aircraft crash at Milestone College. Our heartfelt prayers are with the young souls shaken by this trauma. BNP urges all leaders, activists, professionals, and well-wishers to stand in solidarity with the affected.”
According to official data released by the Government of Bangladesh on 25th July, about 50 people have died, most of them being children aged from 9 to 14 approximately, with 33 of them being admitted for treatment in the hospitals, which include students, staff, teachers, and other associates of the school, including the pilot of the crash, FLT LT Tauqir, who has embraced martyrdom.
Many officials, journalists, and critics have alleged that the crash is politically influenced, and various other allegations and remarks have been made that the official death toll is being hidden, responsibility is being avoided, and the citizens, victims, are demanding timely justice.
Following the growing political unrest in the country, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Tarique Rahman, has stated, “During this mourning period in the nation, I call upon all pro-democracy stakeholders for calm and cohesion. We must form a society based on tolerance and restraint and thus stop divisive confrontation and mob culture… Let’s pour our energy into helping to account for loved ones who have been lost and find those who are missing, ensure those injured receive the very best treatment possible, and allow a proper investigation by the authorities as to the root cause of the plane crash.”
Lastly, the Bangladesh Army has initiated an official investigation into unwanted incidents that have disrupted rescue operations following the deadly plane crash at Milestone College. In a statement issued, the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate said the army is taking the matter seriously and will take disciplinary action against any individual found guilty of any misconduct during the operations.
