In a tragic incident that has shaken the nation, hundreds of protesters gathered in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to demand accountability following a devastating air force jet crash that claimed the lives of 31 individuals, including 25 young students. The incident occurred as children, many under the age of 12, exited their classrooms on a Monday afternoon when the aircraft, reportedly experiencing mechanical failure, collided with the Milestone School and College, leading to a catastrophic fire.
As the community grieves, students took to the streets, expressing their sorrow and outrage. Some protesters were seen breaking through the gates of the federal government secretariat, calling for the resignation of the education adviser. Demonstrators are demanding not only a full list of casualties but also financial compensation for the families affected, the decommissioning of aging aircraft, and reforms to air force training protocols.
In a show of solidarity, demonstrators emphasized the urgent need for transparency regarding the number of injured and deceased, seeking an exact accounting of those hospitalized. Law enforcement efforts to manage the crowd led to skirmishes, with police reportedly deploying tear gas and sound grenades, resulting in injuries to approximately 80 students, according to local media sources.
The military confirmed that 31 individuals had lost their lives, with 165 more admitted to local hospitals, including 68 in critical condition, prompting widespread demands for accountability and acknowledgment from officials. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is actively working with military and school authorities to compile a comprehensive list of victims.
Rescue operations continued as locals expressed their devastation. A poignant story emerged of parents grappling with their loss, including Abul Hossain, who mourned the loss of his nine-year-old daughter, describing the heart-wrenching final moments before he dropped her at school for the last time. Meanwhile, another parent, Rubina Akter, recounted the miraculous escape of her son, who narrowly avoided severe injuries.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene as the jet, which had taken off from a nearby airbase for a routine training mission, veered off course. Although the pilot attempted to divert the aircraft away from populated regions, the accident ultimately occurred on the school grounds.
As Bangladesh comes together to mourn this unprecedented tragedy, calls for accountability within the military and educational systems grow louder amidst the national sorrow.
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