It has been a sad Monday in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh as one of the Bangladesh Air Force Training Planes crashed on students while they were taking test examinations and some of them attending regular classes at Milestone School and College, with 19 victims already confirmed dead by local authorities while over 100 persons mostly students are hospitalized, this, the Head of Interim Government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus has assured the public that the government of Bangladesh will carry out investigation to ascertain the cause of the military plane crash as some of the victims were seen walking out from the burning flames with almost completely burnt bodies.
It was gathered that the plane crashed immediately after take off around 1:00pm local Bangladesh time which was 7:00a.m GMT.
According to Hindustan Times, a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed into a college campus in Dhaka, killing at least 19 and injuring over 100 people.
Local media reported that the leaders and activists of Bangladesh ChhatraLeague faced a brutal mob attack while donating blood to save the injured students of the Milestone School plane crash.
Military and a fire official said the Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI aircraft crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara neighborhood on Monday afternoon, where students were taking tests or attending regular classes.
Saidur Rahman, a National Burn Institute official in Dhaka, told Bangladesh’s leading English daily, The Daily Star, reported that the death toll rose to 16 within hours as reported by CNN and a few hours later, the Daily Star updated its reports to 19 confirmed dead and 100 persons injured.
Parents and relatives panicked at the scene as rescuers, using tricycle rickshaws or whatever was available, transported the injured.
Rafiqa Taha, a student at the school who was not present at the time of the crash, said, according to The Associated Press report that Milestone School and College, with some 2,000 students, runs classes from elementary to twelfth grade. On Monday, she said, some students were taking tests while others attended regular classes.
“I was terrified watching videos on TV,” said the 16-year-old student. “My God! It’s my school.”
The Bangladesh Army’s public relations office confirmed in a brief statement that the downed F-7 BGI aircraft belonged to the Air Force. Fire official Lima Khanam stated by phone that at least one person died and four others were injured, though she did not provide further details.
“A third-grade student was brought in dead, and three others, aged 12, 14 and 40, were admitted to the hospital,” Bidhan Sarker, head of the burn unit at the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, where some victims were taken, said, according to Reuters news agency.
Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, said “necessary measures” would be taken to investigate the cause of the accident and “ensure all kinds of assistance”.
“The loss suffered by the air force, students, parents, teachers and staff, and others in this accident is irreparable,” he said.
Yunus also announced that an emergency hotline has been activated at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in the wake of the crash.
In quotes, Muhammad Yunus tweeted and said: “An emergency hotline has been activated at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery due to urgent needs following the crash of a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft at the Milestone School and College campus, resulting in casualties. Hotline number- 01949043697.
In the Diayabari area of the capital, at the Milestone School and College campus, a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed, resulting in casualties. The bodies of those whose identities can be confirmed will be handed over to their families as soon as possible.
The bodies of those whose identities cannot be immediately confirmed will be identified through DNA testing and subsequently handed over to their families. The Honorable Chief Adviser is closely monitoring the treatment of the injured. To ensure uninterrupted medical operations, the general public is specially requested to avoid unnecessary crowding in the hospital area.
I express my deep grief and sorrow over the tragic incident of casualties caused by the crash of a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BJI training aircraft at the Milestone School and College campus in the Diabari area of the capital today.
The loss suffered by the Air Force, the students, parents, teachers, and staff of Milestone School and College, as well as others affected by this accident, is irreparable. This is a moment of profound pain for the nation.
I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and direct all concerned authorities, including hospitals, to address the situation with the utmost priority. The government will take necessary measures to investigate the cause of the accident and ensure all forms of assistance
The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has called for donations for those injured.