POBNEWS24,Dhaka, July 23, 2025 : Many parents are now going crazy after losing their children. Those who have not been found yet are searching for their beloved children. Some are running in front of the Milestone School and College where the fighter jet crashed. There was a burning smell there yesterday and on Wednesday. Relatives can be seen crying and wailing at the scene, various hospitals and morgues. The air becomes heavy with their lamentations.
This tragic incident is not only making parents or family members cry, but everyone is crying. The whole country is stunned by grief. A state mourning was observed on Tuesday in this tragic incident. In addition, the ‘funeral parade’ of the pilot of the crashed fighter jet, Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam, was also held on Tuesday. At this time, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan urged people not to listen to rumors on social media about the Milestone tragedy.
On Monday afternoon, the Air Force fighter jet (F-7 BGI) used for training crashed into a building at the Milestone School and College campus in Diabari, capital Dhaka. As of Tuesday, 31 people have died in the incident. More than 150 have been injured. The common people are also shocked and stunned by the tragic incident. Wherever there is a crowd on the roads, discussions are going on about the Milestone tragedy. Starting from social media, there is a shadow of mourning everywhere. Especially the sacrifice of teacher Maherin Chowdhury, who sacrificed her life to rescue at least 20 children and students who were trapped after the accident, is being highlighted by all media.
On Wednesday, the burned and injured in the Milestone incident were seen receiving treatment in unbearable pain in the beds of the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute and various hospitals. Most of them have bandages all over their bodies. Some have burnt skin and flesh on various parts of their bodies. Some are fighting with death. Parents have to watch the pitiful situation of these tender children like helpless spectators.
Various scenes were seen while staying at the Milestone School and College premises in Diyabari from Wednesday morning to evening. On the second day, lakhs of people were at the scene throughout the day.
On Wednesday too, there was a burning smell. The air there was filled with various pungent smells, including the oil of the plane. It was like a silent city of death. The classrooms were empty. Parts of burnt tables and chairs were lying inside. On the ground floor of the two-storey building, where the plane had crashed, various burnt and shattered items, shoes, and sandals were seen lying. The corridor of the Haider Ali building was completely in ruins, which had been burnt in the fire. Children’s books, notebooks, bags, shoes, water bottles, and even some drawings were scattered in front of the school building.
On a visit to the destroyed building, it was seen that several books, including third-grade elementary science and Bengali grammar, were half-burnt and scattered next to the rubble. Children’s bags were lying next to the stairs.
The front and interior of the building have been turned into a disaster. The rear part has also been damaged to a large extent. The crashed plane has also hit and broken the rear wall. The rear wall has cracks. The window panes have broken. As students protested inside, curious people from various classes and professions were trying to understand the horror from the outside.
On Wednesday morning, members of the Air Force collected the remaining parts of the crashed plane as evidence.
At the ‘Funeral Parade’, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan told reporters, ‘Many rumors have spread on social media regarding the crash of a training fighter jet at Milestone College. He urged the countrymen not to listen to the various rumors that have been spread. The Air Force Chief said that a high-level investigation committee has been formed into the incident. They will investigate and find out what happened. Based on that, if there is any mistake, we will take action accordingly.
Hasan Mahmud Khan said, the pilot tried his best to land the plane in an empty place and he sacrificed his life. Please do not listen to rumors on social media during this time of danger for the country. A strong air force is essential for independence and sovereignty. Please do not weaken this pillar of the country’s sovereignty by spreading rumors.
In response to a question, the air force chief said, ‘The air force does not compromise on aircraft maintenance. We take daily measures to prevent accidents. However, we will definitely learn from this accident. Aircraft generally do not get old easily. Every aircraft has a lifetime. It is not a matter of one era, two eras. The issue is maintenance. Our maintenance is always good. We repair them well.’
Meanwhile, UNICEF has requested that the news be published responsibly, protecting the identity, privacy and dignity of the children who survived the warplane crash in the capital’s Uttara. In a message today, the organization called for ensuring that no additional stress is placed on children and that more tolerant and compassionate behavior is ensured towards the affected families and communities.
Of the 44 people admitted to the National Burn Institute, 8 are in critical condition. They are now being treated under special management.
The institute’s director, Professor Nasir Uddin, told reporters on Wednesday afternoon. On the other hand, a medical board comprising a senior consultant from Singapore said that the condition of 13 more people injured in the plane crash is serious.
Meanwhile, Eng. Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, Secretary General, Bangladesh Human Rights Watch, said in a statement, “This horrific incident occurred almost immediately after the crackdown and widespread repression and massacres carried out by security forces in Gopalganj district of Bangladesh at the behest of the interim government. In the aftermath, the government failed to respond to the legitimate grievances of the grieving people and instead responded with unprecedented levels of violence. Many of the dead and injured are still missing, and there is widespread public outrage in Dhaka and across the country. We strongly condemn the active efforts to cover up the scale of the devastation. To the government of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, we say: This is not a political issue; it is a human tragedy that demands truth, compassion, and accountability.
