Bangladesh observes state mourning for jet crash victims

Bangladesh observed a one-day state mourning on Tuesday to honour the victims of the tragic Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) fighter jet crash in Dhaka’s Diabari area, which claimed 31 lives and left 165 others injured.

The national flag was flown at half-mast across all government, semi-government, and autonomous institutions, as well as educational establishments throughout the country. Special prayers were held at religious institutions for the departed souls and the speedy recovery of the injured.

The state mourning was declared following Monday’s devastating crash of a BAF F-7 BGI aircraft that struck the compound of Milestone School and College in Uttara’s Diabari area around 1:18pm, sparking a fire and causing widespread destruction. Fire Service and Civil Defence units swiftly carried out rescue operations.

According to the Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), the death toll has risen to 31. Among the deceased are 25 children, one pilot, and one teacher. As of Tuesday morning, 78 people remained hospitalised at four facilities.

“The bodies of 20 victims have already been handed over to their families,” said Dr Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, during a press briefing at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.

In a gesture of remembrance, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has designated a burial site near Milestone School and College in Uttara-12 for the victims, with plans to preserve the graves as a permanent memorial.