In a shocking incident, a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 fighter jet crashed into the Milestone School and College in Dhaka on Monday, resulting in the deadliest aviation disaster in the country’s recent history. Eyewitness accounts describe the scene as surreal, with one student, Ahnaf Bin Hasan, comparing the sound to "thunderbolts" as he watched the jet nosedive into the building. Tragically, at least 31 lives were lost, many of them young children who were in the playground or inside classrooms awaiting classes.
As chaos unfolded, Ahnaf recounted the terrifying moment he hit the ground, only to be surrounded by smoke and screams. The impact caused fires and panic, leaving students and teachers scrambling for safety. "I saw a student... it looked like he was hit before the plane even hit the building," he recalled. The pilot of the jet ejected just before impact and survived temporarily, though later succumbed to injuries.
Among the deceased was 11-year-old Wakia Firdous Nidhi, whose family experienced tremendous anguish in the chaotic aftermath, struggling to retrieve her body due to bureaucratic hurdles. Witnesses shared harrowing tales, including a mother who felt fortunate that her child had opted to buy food instead of taking lunch that day.
Amidst the heartache, acts of bravery surfaced, with teachers and students working together to save as many lives as possible. One teacher, Mahreen Chowdhury, repeatedly entered the burning building to help students escape, ultimately sacrificing her life in the process. The school's staff is left reeling, grappling with the weight of the tragedy and the loss of their young charges.
The official death toll and reports of injuries remain contentious, with families waiting for clarity. Survivors like Ahnaf are left with lasting scars, haunted by the sounds and sights of that horrific day. Dhaka's educational community mourns together while striving to process this unthinkable loss, amidst calls for improved aviation safety and accountability.
As chaos unfolded, Ahnaf recounted the terrifying moment he hit the ground, only to be surrounded by smoke and screams. The impact caused fires and panic, leaving students and teachers scrambling for safety. "I saw a student... it looked like he was hit before the plane even hit the building," he recalled. The pilot of the jet ejected just before impact and survived temporarily, though later succumbed to injuries.
Among the deceased was 11-year-old Wakia Firdous Nidhi, whose family experienced tremendous anguish in the chaotic aftermath, struggling to retrieve her body due to bureaucratic hurdles. Witnesses shared harrowing tales, including a mother who felt fortunate that her child had opted to buy food instead of taking lunch that day.
Amidst the heartache, acts of bravery surfaced, with teachers and students working together to save as many lives as possible. One teacher, Mahreen Chowdhury, repeatedly entered the burning building to help students escape, ultimately sacrificing her life in the process. The school's staff is left reeling, grappling with the weight of the tragedy and the loss of their young charges.
The official death toll and reports of injuries remain contentious, with families waiting for clarity. Survivors like Ahnaf are left with lasting scars, haunted by the sounds and sights of that horrific day. Dhaka's educational community mourns together while striving to process this unthinkable loss, amidst calls for improved aviation safety and accountability.
