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Military Training Jet Crashes Into Dhaka School
The death toll from yesterday's military plane crash in Bangladesh has risen to 31, with at least 25 children among the victims. The F-7 BGI training jet plunged into Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka shortly after takeoff at 1 PM local time.
Victims and Eyewitness Accounts
Over 160 people were injured, 78 with severe burns requiring hospitalization. The victims include students, a teacher who died while helping others escape the flames, and the pilot. "My best friend died before my eyes in the exam hall," student Farhan Hasen told the BBC. Parents waiting outside for their children were also among the casualties.
Pilot's Final Moments
The Bangladesh Air Force confirmed the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam, was on his first solo flight to complete his training. Despite experiencing mechanical failure shortly after takeoff, he reportedly attempted to steer the malfunctioning jet away from densely populated areas before it struck the school building.
Protest and Aircraft Safety Concerns
Hundreds of students gathered at the crash site today demanding compensation for victims' families and immediate retirement of "outdated and unsafe" training aircraft. The F-7 BGI is a Chinese-made fighter based on Soviet MiG-21 technology. Bangladesh acquired 16 of these jets between 2011-2013.
Investigation Underway
The military has launched an independent investigation into the technical failure, excluding civilian aviation authorities. Bangladesh has declared a national day of mourning as rescue operations continue at the charred school ruins.
