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Published : 22 Jul 2025, 12:17 AM
Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has promised a full investigation into the deadly Air Force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Diabari, where at least 20 people, mostly students, were killed and more than 150 others injured or burned.
Yunus extended condolences to the victims’ families in a video statement on Monday.
“This will certainly be investigated. But investigations won’t bring them back. We are arranging treatment. Everyone has rushed to help -- every hospital, every person,” he said.
The crash occurred around 1:18pm on Monday, when a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI fighter jet, which took off at 1:06pm, plummeted into the school building, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
A national day of mourning has been declared for Tuesday.
“This is an unbelievable event,” Yunus said.
“Like everyone else in the country, I am stunned. None of us could have imagined something like this. But we are now forced to accept this devastating reality.”
Referring to the deaths and injuries of schoolchildren, Yunus added: “What do we say to the parents? How do we answer them? We can’t even answer ourselves.
“Images of unknown children are flashing before our eyes. The entire nation is stunned, speechless. Calling it grief doesn’t capture the depth of what we’re feeling. Bodies are still arriving at hospitals. People are still dying.”
He continued, “Parents are still searching, asking where their children are, whether they’ll ever recognise them again. Some wonder if among the burned bodies, their child might be there. There is no way to tell. These are our children, all of them. And now they’re gone forever, just like that.”
Appealing to people to avoid crowding at hospitals, Yunus warned that it could harm survivors.
“This is not good for the injured. Their immune systems are weak. If we gather in large numbers, we could unknowingly transmit diseases. Please, pray from afar. To all the parents and families, we extend our deepest sympathy.”
“We’re all trying to comfort ourselves. But for the families who lost someone, any comfort is immense. We are with you. The entire nation stands with you,” he said.
Yunus urged the public to observe the national day of mourning on Tuesday in memory of the victims, “Pray for their peace. From today, let us all pray for their souls.
“May Allah give peace to you, to all who have been shattered by this tragedy. May these children be granted paradise.”
