Tragedy Strikes: Bangladesh Fighter Jet Crashes into Primary School

In a devastating crash, a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet slammed into Milestone School and College, killing 31 individuals, predominantly children. Surviving students recall the chaos, courage, and heroism amid the tragedy while families grapple with the loss of their loved ones and the difficulties of recovering identified bodies.

Dhaka, Bangladesh - The day began like any other at the Milestone School and College, but it swiftly turned into one of the darkest days in Bangladesh's aviation history when a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 fighter jet crashed into the school, killing at least 31 people, many of whom were under the age of 12.

Eyewitness accounts describe the harrowing moments of the crash. "It felt like 30 or 40 thunderbolts," said 18-year-old student Ahnaf Bin Hasan, who was just feet away when the jet plummeted. He instinctively dropped to the ground, and when he opened his eyes, he was engulfed in chaos, smoke, and the screams of terrified children. "Everything was chaos," he recounted.

According to reports, the jet was on a training flight when it encountered a mechanical failure shortly after takeoff. The pilot managed to eject right before the crash but succumbed to injuries later at the hospital. "I saw the pilot eject. His parachute came down and he broke through the roof of another building,” Ahnaf said, reflecting on the moments that followed the disaster.

As smoke enveloped the school, Ahnaf sprang into action, despite suffering burns from flaming debris. He witnessed the tragic aftermath—students and teachers in dire need of assistance, bodies among the wreckage. “It was too hot, but I had to help,” he said. He helped rescue fellow classmates, carrying a severely injured boy to safety.

The aftermath revealed a heavy loss for the community. Among the deceased was 11-year-old Wakia Firdous Nidhi, whose family faced immense heartbreak navigating the bureaucratic challenges surrounding the recovery of her body. “We identified her by her teeth,” her uncle explained, clearly distraught.

Further complicating the tragedy, reports indicate discrepancies about the actual death toll. While government sources cite 29 deaths and over 100 injuries, the military reported 31 fatalities. Families remain disoriented amid conflicting information and unaccounted missing persons.

Teacher Mahreen Chowdhury emerged as a symbol of courage, helping at least 20 students evacuate before succumbing to her injuries. Shafiqul Islam Tultul, a teacher at the school, expressed his deep sorrow: "I've lost three children I knew."

As survivors like Ahnaf continue to grapple with the event’s psychological impacts, the community reflects on the unfathomable loss and the ongoing struggle for answers and healing. "I haven't slept for two days," Ahnaf lamented. “When I close my eyes, I only see smoke.”

In the wake of this tragedy, the community of Uttara mourns deeply for its lost children while the air force grapples with questions about safety and accountability in your skies.