Aircraft crash claims 19 lives

At least 19 people have died as a Bangladesh Air Force F7 aircraft crashed into a building of Milestone School and College in Uttara area of Dhaka around 1:30pm on Monday.

Shahjahan Shikder, media officer of Bangladesh Fire Services and Civil Defense, confirmed the news.

Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh Navy and fire service started rescue operations after the incident.

Director General (DG) of the Directorate of Fire Services and Civil Defence Brigadier General Muhammad Zaheed Kamal visited the spot around 5:00 pm.

At a press briefing at the scene, Brigadier General Md Jahed Kamal said 19 bodies were recovered from the school compound. “The rescue operation is underway,” he said.

He informed that more than 50 people were injured in the tragedy.

Most of them were admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Doctors say most of the injured are burn victims. A number of injured students were also admitted to Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital (BMSRI). A number of injured victims were taken to other hospitals.

The fate of the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Toukir Islam Sagar, remains unclear as of the filing of this report.

Talha Bin Zashim, media cell station officer at FSCD headquarters, said eight firefighting units from Uttara, Tongi, Pallabi, Kurmitola, Mirpur, and Purbachal were working to control the blaze and assist in the rescue effort, according to UNB.

A BAF rescue team also reached the site and joined the operation, UNB’s correspondent reports.

Several ambulances arrived at the location to transport the injured, while local residents and Milestone College students were seen helping emergency responders.

To assist with rescue efforts and maintain order, two platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer at the BGB headquarters.

A large crowd gathered at the crash site, which has caused disruptions to rescue operations.