Angry students and residents in Dhaka, Bangladesh, protested Tuesday after a Bangladesh Air Force F‑7 BGI jet crashed into a school campus, killing 31 people, at least 25 of them children under 12. Families are demanding answers and accountability for what they call preventable neglect.
The crash occurred Monday afternoon when the jet, on a routine mission from Kurmitola Air Force Base, suffered mechanical failure. The pilot reportedly attempted to steer the plane away from densely populated areas, but it slammed into the Milestone School and College building in Uttara, catching fire and trapping students.
On Tuesday, police used tear gas and bullet‐sound grenades to disperse hundreds of students who stormed the government secretariat, chanting “Why did our brothers die? We demand answers!” They also demanded compensation for victims’ families and a review of military flight paths over city areas.
Authorities report 165 people hospitalized, with 68 in critical condition. A military‐led probe has been launched, and the interim government declared a national day of mourning, lowering flags to half‐mast.
Critics argue that permitting military training flights over populated zones lacks common‐sense safeguards. Students are now calling to retire aging jets and reroute missions away from civilian targets.
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, pledged full cooperation between the government, military, schools, and hospitals to reveal the true death toll and enforce changes. The military insisted the crash resulted from mechanical failure while trying to avoid populated areas.
Local clergy have organized prayer vigils, and experts warn the country must improve flight safety to prevent future disasters near children and schools.
