Death Toll Hits 31 as Fighter Jet Crashes into School

The death toll from Monday’s tragic fighter jet crash in Dhaka’s Uttara rose to 31, including 25 children, a teacher, and the pilot.

According to the Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR), 165 injured victims are currently receiving treatment at 10 hospitals across the capital.

Dr Md Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Health and Family Welfare, confirmed at a press briefing that 20 bodies have been identified and handed over to their families. Among the deceased are 25 children, a teacher, and Flight Lieutenant Md Towkir Islam, the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft.

Authorities urged people not to crowd hospitals unnecessarily and said that only donors with rare negative blood groups were currently needed.

The victims identified so far include Fatema Akhter (9), Samiul Karim (9), Rajoni Islam (37), Mehnaz Afrin Huraira (9), Sharia Akhter (13), Nusrat Jahan Anika (10), Saad Salauddin (9), Saima Akhter (9), AB Shamim (14), Afnan (14), Tanvir (14), and teacher Maherin Chowdhury (46).

Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam’s body remains at the morgue.

The ISPR earlier confirmed 171 people were injured, including two firefighters who were hurt during rescue operations but are now out of danger. Rescue efforts concluded at 8:30pm on Monday.

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) stated that the FT-7 BGI fighter jet, which took off at 1:06pm from Base AK Khandaker, suffered a mechanical failure and crashed into Milestone School and College at around 1:18pm. A full investigation has been launched.

The Air Force noted that the pilot attempted to divert the aircraft towards a less populated area to minimise casualties.

Following the crash, today’s HSC and equivalent examinations, as well as National University exams, were postponed.

An emergency hotline (01949-043697) has been opened at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.

Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus expressed profound grief over the tragedy and assured that the government would investigate the crash and ensure free treatment for the injured.

Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum directed all hospitals to provide free medical care to victims.

Meanwhile, the Chief Adviser’s office dismissed rumours of casualty information being concealed, stating that the names of all deceased are being verified, with DNA tests being used where necessary.