Bangladesh School Tragedy: Chaos Unfolds After Fighter Jet Crash

On Monday, a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 fighter jet crashed into the Milestone School and College in Dhaka, killing 31 people, primarily young students, while leaving survivors grappling with trauma and loss. Eyewitness accounts reveal horrific chaos, and a mother’s heart-wrenching experience of narrowly escaping tragedy offers a glimpse into the narrow margins of survival during this catastrophe.

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 fighter jet crashed into the Milestone School and College in Dhaka, leading to one of the country’s most tragic aviation disasters in recent history. With at least 31 deceased, including many children under the age of 12, the chaos that followed resonated deeply among survivors and families.

“It was like 30 or 40 thunderbolts falling from the sky,” recalled Ahnaf Bin Hasan, an 18-year-old student who was present at the school during the calamity. His recollections are filled with the haunting memories of the moment the jet nosedived and struck the school — an incident that has left an indelible mark on the young witnesses.

The crash occurred shortly after the jet took off, purportedly due to a mechanical failure. The pilot managed to eject shortly before impact, later succumbing to injuries at the hospital. Ahnaf described how he watched the parachute drift down before the chaos erupted, with smoke and flames engulfing his surroundings.

As screams filled the air, Ahnaf instinctively rushed toward the danger. With remnants of burning debris around him, he selflessly aided injured students, driven by an innate sense of responsibility. He recalled the horrifying sight of charred bodies, as he helped carry a wounded classmate to safety, demonstrating the incredible courage that emerged from the tragedy.

Among the fallen was 11-year-old Wakia Firdous Nidhi, whose family endured an agonizing search for her body amid the chaos. Though they identified her, bureaucratic hurdles delayed their ability to obtain closure, adding to their grief. Her uncle, Syed Billal Hossain, described the innocent moments of her life, now stained with tragedy.

The emotional aftermath extends beyond immediate families, as teachers and staff members grapple with deep sorrow. Shafiqul Islam Tultul, a teacher at the school, expressed feelings of helplessness and sadness, stating that the loss of students has left an emotional void that words cannot convey.

Despite the government’s reports of deaths and injuries, rumors of cover-ups circulate, leading to public scrutiny of the military’s handling of the incident. The head teacher confirmed the uncertainty surrounding missing persons, a poignant reminder of the ongoing pain many families feel.

Ahnaf continues to relive the horror. “I haven’t slept for two days,” he shared, as the echoes of screams and sights of destruction haunt his thoughts. The reality of living under a busy flight path is now marred by the tragic events of that day, leaving a community forever altered by loss.