Tragedy Strikes: Plane Crash in Bangladesh Kills 31
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and demands for accountability, with students and families seeking answers and compensation for their losses. The government's response to the tragedy will be closely watched, as the country struggles to come to terms with the scale of the disaster.
A military jet crashed into a school in Dhaka, Bangladesh, killing at least 31 people, including 25 students, and injuring over 160, sparking widespread protests and demands for answers and compensation.
The students, who gathered outside the school, called for the resignation of the education adviser and the decommissioning of old and risky jets, as well as changes in air force training procedures. The police responded to the protests with tear gas and sound grenades, leaving about 80 students injured. The government and military have promised to work together to publish a list of named victims and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The F-7 jet experienced a mechanical fault after taking off for a training exercise and crashed into a two-storey building at Milestone School and College. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam, was among those killed. Witnesses described the moment the plane crashed, with one student saying his best friend died right in front of him.
The crash has prompted a day of mourning, with the national flag flown at half-mast. An investigation committee has been formed to look into the incident, and the government has denied withholding information about the casualties. However, students are demanding the release of the real number of deaths, and the country is still reeling from the tragedy.