A heart-wrenching incident unfolded in Dhaka, Bangladesh, as a Bangladeshi air force training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College, resulting in at least 27 fatalities and over 170 injuries. Year 10 student Farhan Hasan had just completed his exam when the disaster struck, recalling the devastating moment, "The burning plane was hitting the building right in front of my eyes."
Dramatic footage shows thick smoke and flames billowing from the scene after the aircraft, reportedly experiencing mechanical issues, slammed into the school shortly after 1 PM local time. Tragically, Farhan witnessed the death of his best friend during the catastrophe, revealing the emotional toll on many present.
Witness accounts describe the instant chaos; the explosion was followed by a rush of fleeing students and parents. Nearby, a teacher expressed his shock, stating he watched the plane impact the building directly, while another described only seeing fire and smoke afterward.
As emergency responders worked tirelessly to escort the injured to hospitals, families gathered anxiously outside, some desperately searching for loved ones. Reports show many victims are minors and, overwhelmed by grief, relatives of the deceased shared their heartbreak.
In response to the tragedy, the government declared a national day of mourning, with the flag flown at half-mast. Leaders promised to investigate the cause and assured aid for the victims and their families. Additionally, communities rallied together to donate blood and support recovery efforts across seven hospitals treating those injured.
The air force stated the pilot attempted to divert the aircraft to less populated areas, but the successful execution was tragically not realized. As the nation mourns, discussions about aviation safety are reignited in a somber reminder of the risks associated with flight training.
