A tragic incident unfolded at Milestone College in Uttara, where an F7 fighter jet crashed, resulting in a devastating death toll that is expected to rise beyond the current count of 32. Many of the injured individuals, with severe burns ranging from 80 to 90 percent, are fighting for their lives in hospitals.
This catastrophe has deeply impacted not only the affected families but also the entire nation, as most of the victims were children who had set out for school that morning with hopes of learning, only to never return. Their untimely demise has shattered their dreams, leaving their grieving parents inconsolable and their friends in a state of shock.
According to the ISPR, the jet aircraft encountered a “mechanical failure,” a recurring issue with the F7 aircraft. Despite previous incidents, the aircraft was permitted to fly over the densely populated city of Dhaka, where countless individuals were residing, studying, and working below.
Questions arise regarding why a fighter jet was engaged in maneuvers within Dhaka’s airspace and the circumstances that led to this tragic event. Accountability must be established to address the decision-making processes that allowed this situation to unfold.
Experts recommend conducting training flights in safer locations such as Jessore or Chattogram, emphasizing the need to avoid flying over residential areas and schools. This tragic accident has exposed vulnerabilities in the system, resulting in the loss of numerous innocent lives.
Merely attributing the incident to a “mechanical failure” or issuing an apology, which is yet to be issued, will not bring back the young lives lost. It is imperative for the government and the air force to take responsibility and provide justice to the affected families beyond monetary compensation.
The placement of classrooms in harm’s way was likely the result of a series of decisions made at the highest levels, demanding accountability. While acknowledging the gravity of this tragedy, all relevant authorities should view it as a critical wake-up call rather than solely a lamentable event.
Md Abbas, a journalist at The Daily Star, can be contacted at [email protected]