Uttara aircraft crash: Death toll rises to 20, over 150 injured
As of now, 20 people have been confirmed dead after a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a building of Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara today, Monday. More than 150 others have been injured in the incident.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has confirmed the number of deaths and injuries in this incident. According to ISPR information, 20 people including the pilot of the crashed aircraft have died while, 171 others have been injured.
In a press release issued around 5:00 pm today, at that time ISPR provided a list of the deceased and injured, stating that the number of deceased is 18.
Later at 5:40pm, ISPR revised the number of fatalities to 19, confirming that the aircraft’s pilot was among the dead.
Before 8:00pm, ISPR released an updated figure, confirming 20 deaths and 171 injuries in total.
Earlier, Fire Service and Civil Defence director general Brig. Gen. Mohammad Zahed Kamal shared this information of 19 people being killed in this incident.
The aircraft crashed into the school building after 1:00pm today. According to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the aircraft took off at 1:06pm and crashed later.
While visiting the crash site at Milestone School around 4:45pm, the director general of the Fire Service said, “As you all know, an FT-7 BGI fighter aircraft of the Air Force crash-landed into a two-storey building of Milestone School and College’s Uttara branch around 1:00pm today.”
“On the ground floor of this building were the classrooms of class-3 and class-4 students. On the first floor were classrooms for class-2 and class-5 students, along with the principal’s office and a meeting room. A tuition class was also ongoing at the time.”
“When the crash occurred, school had already ended for the day. However, at the point where the aircraft struck near the teachers’ room, many children had gathered, possibly along with some of their parents,” he added.
The Fire Service DG stated that they received the report of the crash around 1:08pm. He said, “Our units quickly reached the scene and began rescue operations. Total nine of our units were deployed here. The fire is now fully extinguished, and we are continuing with rescue efforts.”
He confirmed that the injured and deceased were taken to various hospitals, adding, “According to our count so far, we have recovered 19 bodies. They have been taken to different hospitals. The army, along with our fire service, the police, and others has assisted us. Rescue work is still ongoing. Once it is complete, we will be able to give you the total damage assessment.”
Mohammad Zahed Kamal added, “We have not yet been able to identify the deceased; that will take some time. However, we suspect that most of the victims are children.”
Mahmudul Hasan, a Prothom Alo correspondent present at the scene, reported around 4:00 pm that a large crowd had gathered in front of Milestone College. Ambulances were seen leaving the damaged college building one after another. Authorities were now appealing for blood donations for the injured.