PLANE CRASHES INTO SCHOOL IN BANGLADESH, KILLING AT LEAST 20 PEOPLE
A devastating tragedy struck Bangladesh as a small passenger aircraft crashed into a school building in the city of Sylhet, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens more. The crash occurred on Monday morning during school hours, turning a routine day of learning into a scene of horror and chaos. The dead include students, teachers, and crew members aboard the aircraft.
According to preliminary reports from Bangladeshi aviation authorities, the aircraft—a twin-engine turboprop operated by a domestic airline—was en route from Dhaka to Sylhet when it experienced technical difficulties shortly before landing. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying unusually low and emitting smoke from one engine. Moments later, the plane veered off its flight path and crashed directly into the three-story school building in a densely populated neighborhood.
Emergency services rushed to the scene within minutes, but the impact had already caused massive destruction. The fire triggered by the crash quickly spread through the building, complicating rescue efforts. Local residents, firefighters, and rescue teams worked tirelessly to pull victims from the rubble. Medical personnel confirmed that many of the fatalities were children under the age of 14.
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of the crash. “This is a dark day for the nation. We mourn the innocent lives lost and stand with the families in their time of grief,” the Prime Minister said in a statement. She also announced compensation for the families of the victims and promised government support for those injured.
Civil Aviation Authority officials have launched a formal inquiry into the crash. The aircraft’s black box has been recovered and will be examined to determine the exact cause of the malfunction. Initial speculation points to possible engine failure, but investigators have not ruled out pilot error or maintenance issues.
The school, which catered to more than 500 students, has been closed indefinitely. Grief-stricken parents gathered at the site, some desperately searching for their children, while others prayed and wept. Many students who survived the crash have been hospitalized with severe burns and injuries.
International leaders and organizations have offered their condolences. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) expressed heartbreak over the loss of young lives and called for stronger safety measures around educational institutions.
This incident has also reignited debates in Bangladesh over aviation safety standards and urban planning. Experts have long warned that some flight paths near major airports in Bangladesh pass dangerously close to residential areas, schools, and public facilities, increasing the risk of disaster in the event of a malfunction.
As rescue operations continue and the country mourns, the nation’s focus now turns to ensuring justice for the victims and implementing reforms to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. Flags across the country will fly at half-mast for three days in memory of the lives lost in the crash.