July 23, 2025
Conflict & Security

Dhaka School Tragedy: Teacher Recounts Jet Crash Horror

  • July 22, 2025
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Dhaka School Tragedy: Teacher Recounts Jet Crash Horror

A Routine Day Turns Tragic

For Purnima Das, a teacher at Milestone School in Dhaka’s Uttara neighborhood, Monday began like any other day. However, the ordinary quickly turned into chaos when a loud explosion shattered the calm. As she stepped out of the faculty room to investigate, she was confronted with a scene of panic and devastation. Children were fleeing in terror, some with their bodies engulfed in flames.

The Devastating Crash

The source of this horror was a fighter jet crash that claimed 19 lives, including 16 children and the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Toukir Islam. Among the victims were two of Ms. Das’s colleagues. The crash left over 100 people injured, many with severe burns. The building, which housed primary and secondary classes, became a site of tragedy as flames consumed the corridor Ms. Das had just crossed.

Heroic Efforts Amidst Chaos

In a Facebook post, Ms. Das recounted her desperate attempts to help students affected by the fire. She rushed to the washroom to pour water on those with burns while chaos and fire spread throughout the school. Despite her efforts, she witnessed a colleague succumb to the flames right before her eyes.

Survivors’ Trauma

The psychological impact on survivors is profound. Students like Farhan Hasan witnessed their classmates perish in the fire. Farhan shared his harrowing experience with BBC Bangla, recounting how his best friend died in front of him after they had just finished an exam.

Eyewitness Accounts and Investigation

Masud Tarik, another teacher, described hearing an explosion followed by seeing only fire and smoke. The F-7BGI aircraft, an advanced Chinese J-7 fighter on a training flight, crashed due to a mechanical fault while attempting to avoid populated areas. The plane directly hit the school building, as confirmed by teacher Rezaul Islam.

Ongoing Investigation and Medical Response

The injured are receiving treatment at seven hospitals, with at least 25 in critical condition. Authorities have formed a probe committee to investigate the crash thoroughly.

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