An F-7 BGI trainer aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in the Diyabari area of the capital Dhaka on Monday afternoon.
Brigadier General Muhammad Zahed Kamal, Director General of the Fire Services and Civil Defense Department, said that at least 20 people were killed in the accident, while 164 people were injured.
The injured have been admitted to various medical institutions including the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, Kurmitola Hospital, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Combined Military Hospital and Uttara Modern Hospital located near Dhaka Medical College.
Professor Asif Najrul, a legal advisor to the government, said, "We are deeply saddened by this incident. The government has already declared Tuesday a day of mourning. Along with this, we will also investigate how the plane crash happened."
Plane hit several classes of nursery and junior section
Milestone College lecturer Rezaul Islam told media that the accident happened when the school was about to close.
He said, "A fighter plane hit the building directly. It hit several classes of the nursery and junior section. The main gate of the school was completely destroyed and it caught fire."
I saw only fire and smoke
Another teacher, Masood Tariq, told that he heard an explosion. "When I looked back, I saw only fire and smoke. Many parents and children were present here."
I saw the plane collide with the building in front of my eyes
A student said that he saw the plane collide with the building in front of his eyes. Bangladesh Fire Brigade Service said on social media that nine of its units and six ambulances were present at the scene. Pictures from the scene showed several emergency service workers searching for survivors among the rubble. One picture showed firefighters carrying a body out of the building. Many common people were also watching the incident standing on the roofs of nearby buildings.
PM condoles
PM Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives, many of them young students, in a tragic air crash in Dhaka. He assured that India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance.
Modi in post on X said:
“Deeply shocked and saddened at the loss of lives, many of them young students, in a tragic air crash in Dhaka. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. We pray for the swift recovery of those injured. India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance.”
Prakash Kumar Pandey