Muhammad Yunus mourns ‘irreparable loss’ after 19 die in Bangladesh Air Force jet crash

Bangladesh is mourning after a tragic air force jet crash in Dhaka’s Uttara area killed at least 19 people and injured more than 100. Chief Adviser of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, expressed deep sorrow, calling it an "irreparable loss" for the nation.

Jet crashes into school campus

The accident took place on Monday afternoon when a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed into Milestone School and College in the Diabari area of Dhaka. At the time of the crash, students were attending exams and regular classes, making the impact of the tragedy even worse.

According to officials, the aircraft took off from a nearby base at 1:06 PM local time. Within minutes, it plummeted onto the school premises, causing massive destruction and panic. Military and fire department teams rushed to the scene for rescue operations.

Muhammad Yunus offers condolences

Muhammad Yunus, in an official statement, expressed his grief over the accident. He said, "The loss suffered by the air force personnel, students, parents, teachers, and staff of Milestone School and College in this accident is irreparable. This is a moment of deep grief for the nation."

He further added that his thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives and with those undergoing treatment. He called the incident one of the darkest moments in recent times for the country.

Over 100 injured, emergency hotline set up

The crash injured over 100 people, including students, teachers, and staff members. According to the office of Muhammad Yunus, 83 injured victims are receiving treatment at various hospitals.

In response to the emergency, an official hotline has been activated at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery to help families of the victims. The hotline number is 01949043697.

The Bangladesh military’s public relations department confirmed that rescue operations began immediately after the crash. Fire service teams, police, and local volunteers worked tirelessly to pull survivors from the debris and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.

The authorities are now investigating the cause of the crash. The F-7 BGI jet, primarily used for pilot training, is believed to have suffered a technical failure, though official confirmation is still awaited.

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Witnesses describe chaos and fear

Survivors and witnesses described scenes of panic as the jet crashed onto the school campus. Students who were inside classrooms ran for safety, while teachers tried to protect the children from the debris and fire.

Local residents also rushed to the site to help rescue students before emergency teams arrived. Videos and photos shared on social media showed the wreckage, injured victims being carried away, and the school building severely damaged.

The news of the crash has left the entire nation in shock. Families of the victims gathered outside hospitals and the school campus, waiting anxiously for updates. Condolence messages have poured in from across Bangladesh, with many calling for strict safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Muhammad Yunus urged the people of Bangladesh to come together during this difficult time and support the affected families. He also said that the government is committed to providing all possible assistance to those who have been injured and to the families of the deceased.

Investigation to determine cause

The Bangladesh Air Force has launched a high-level investigation into the crash. Experts will examine the black box of the aircraft and other evidence to determine whether a technical failure, human error, or other factors led to the disaster.

The F-7 BGI is a Chinese-built fighter jet, widely used for training air force pilots. While such accidents are rare, Monday’s crash has raised serious concerns about the maintenance and safety of the aircraft used for training.

In his statement, Muhammad Yunus emphasised the need for reviewing the safety protocols of training flights, particularly when they take place near populated areas. The tragedy has sparked debates on whether schools and residential areas close to air bases are at risk during routine training flights.

A day of national grief

As Bangladesh grieves, flags were seen lowered at several institutions to pay respect to the victims. Vigils and prayers are expected to be held in Dhaka and other cities. The incident has also prompted the interim government to review emergency response systems to ensure quicker rescue operations in similar disasters.