Tragedy Strikes Dhaka as Fighter Jet Crashes into School, Leaving Devastation Behind

In a shocking incident in Dhaka, a fighter jet on a training mission crashed into the Milestone School and College, resulting in the deaths of at least 31 people, many of whom were schoolchildren. Eyewitness accounts reveal moments of panic and chaos as students and teachers struggled for safety amid flames and smoke. Families face immense grief and bureaucratic challenges as they search for answers, while the military faces scrutiny regarding their response and communications about the tragedy.

The chaotic aftermath of a tragic incident unfolded two days ago when a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet careened into the Milestone School and College in Dhaka. Eyewitness and student Ahnaf Bin Hasan vividly described the harrowing experience, equating the sound of the crashing plane to “30 or 40 thunderbolts falling from the sky.” The F-7 fighter jet crashed into the two-storey primary school building during a training flight as it experienced mechanical failure shortly after takeoff. Tragically, the crash has taken the lives of at least 31 individuals, most of whom were children awaiting pickup or attending coaching classes.

Ahnaf was among those present when the disaster struck. “I was only about 30 feet away,” he recalled. “I dropped to the ground, and when I looked up, all I could see was smoke, fire, and chaos.” The devastating scene left many students screaming and running for safety, while flames engulfed parts of the school. Ahnaf, despite his own injuries from flying debris, actively participated in rescuing his classmates, aiding friends who were trapped and helping to control the crowds as onlookers gathered.

The victims included 11-year-old Wakia Firdous Nidhi, whose family endured a harrowing night searching for her body, only to face a bureaucratic nightmare as officials informed them of the need for DNA testing for body identification. The emotional toll revealed the magnitude of loss, with Wakia remembered fondly by her family as a vibrant and caring child.

As grief enveloped the community, accounts of narrow escapes and heroic actions emerged. A teacher, Mahreen Chowdhury, went above and beyond, saving multiple children from the flames until she herself succumbed to her injuries. Meanwhile, reports of further casualties created confusion and speculation regarding the government’s handling of the incident, with varying accounts of the death toll and injury counts stirring public concern.

As the aftermath settled over the school and its surroundings, eyewitnesses like Ahnaf struggled to cope with the trauma, stating, “I haven’t slept for two days… The screams are still in my ears.” The close proximity of the school to Dhaka's international airport had always meant frequent overhead flights, yet the community could never have anticipated the tragedy that would reign down from the sky. With the echoes of that fateful day still haunting them, the calls for accountability pursue the military as families seek justice for the deceased and injured.