19 Killed As Bangladesh Air Force Plane Crashes Into School (Video)
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
DHAKA (Worthy News) – Bangladesh plunged into mourning after fire fighters confirmed that at least 19 people were killed and scores injured when a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a college and school campus in the capital city of Dhaka.
The incident occurred at the Milestone School and College in Uttara, in the northern part of Dhaka.
Besides those killed, more than 50 people, including children and adults, were injured and rushed to the hospital with burns, said the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
Sources said the age range for students attending the school is between four and 18.
Footage reviewed by Worthy News showed panicked, stricken crowds rushing to and from the scene of the disaster, where the dead and injured were attended to.
That came shortly after a jet crashed into the complex, footage suggested.
DEEP SORROW
Muhammad Yunus, the leader of Bangladesh’s interim government, described the situation as “a moment of deep sorrow for the nation.”
Additionally, “I wish the injured a speedy recovery and instruct all authorities, including the hospitals concerned, to deal with the situation with utmost importance,” Yunus added on social media platform X.
His government announced a day of mourning on Tuesday, when the national flag will be flown half-mast across the country.
Yunus said “necessary measures” would be taken to investigate the cause of the incident and “ensure all kinds of assistance”.
As the extent of the tragedy became clear, the armed forces said in a statement that the F-7 jet experienced a mechanical fault after taking off for a training exercise just after 13:00 local time.
The armed forces statement stressed that the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Mohammed Toukir Islam, had tried to navigate the aircraft to a less populated area after the mechanical fault occurred.
PILOT KILLED
He had only just taken off from an air force base in the capital before the accident in which he was also killed, the air force added.
A teacher at the college, Rezaul Islam, said he saw the plane “directly” hit the building, an observation that appeared consistent with footage seen by Worthy News.
Another teacher, Masud Tarik, told reporters he heard an explosion: “When I looked back, I only saw fire and smoke… There were many guardians and kids here.”
A student said he saw the plane hit the building “right in front of my eyes”.
Images from the scene show scores of emergency service workers sorting through charred rubble to try and find survivors, while being watched by huge crowds of onlookers who climbed on top of surrounding buildings to see.
Crowds of people stood on the streets and in unfinished buildings, looking down at an ambulance making its way through the crowd.
Authorities said an investigation committee has been formed to investigate the incident that shocked the impoverished South Asian nation.
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