Uttara, Dhaka – A Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) training aircraft crashed into the Diabari campus of Milestone School and College in Uttara on Monday, resulting in at least 20 deaths and injuring 171 others, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The horrifying incident occurred during school hours, sending shockwaves across the capital. Loud explosions were heard moments before the crash, as students were attending regular classes.
Casualties Confirmed
The ISPR confirmed that the injured and deceased have been taken to various hospitals across the capital. The breakdown is as follows:
Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital: 8 injured
Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery: 70 injured, 2 dead
Dhaka Medical College Hospital: 3 injured, 1 dead
Combined Military Hospital (CMH): 17 injured, 12 dead
Kurmitola General Hospital: 1 injured, 2 dead
Lubna General Hospital and Cardiac Centre: 11 injured, 2 dead
Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital: 60 injured, 1 dead
Uttara Crescent Hospital: 1 injured
According to hospital authorities, more burn victims continued to arrive until 9:30pm.
Eyewitness Accounts
Several students reported that the aircraft made a thunderous noise before crashing.
An eighth-grade student said, “We were in class when we heard a deafening sound. Everyone rushed outside, and we saw flames rising from the field. Later, we learned that a training plane had crashed.”
Security personnel on campus confirmed that military, BGB, and Ansar forces arrived swiftly after the incident. Firefighters began rescue operations immediately, and within half an hour, over 50 students had been rescued. Many victims, however, were reported dead before reaching hospitals.
A college source said among the 19 confirmed dead at the time, two were teachers.
Heart-Wrenching Scenes at Hospitals
Dr. Md Bazlur Rahman, Deputy Director of Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital, told reporters:
“In the first phase, we received children without guardians. We began treatment immediately, without asking about money.”
“In the second phase, youths who had joined rescue efforts arrived with complications like suffocation,” he added.
“Burn victims are still arriving.”
The hospital environment turned emotional as parents of missing students crowded the premises, many breaking down in tears while searching for their children.
Deputy Police Commissioner Md Mohidul Islam of DMP’s Uttara Division stated that one unidentified body is currently at Uttara Adhunik Hospital. The body is severely burned, and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will conduct DNA profiling for identification.
Spontaneous Blood Donations
Hundreds of youths rushed to local hospitals to donate blood. BNCC cadets, Scouts, and volunteers from various social groups helped maintain order and ensured the smooth passage of ambulances.
