Bangladesh Plane Crash Kills 31, Sparking Student Protests
A Chinese-made F-7BGI fighter plane crashed into Milestone School and College in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Monday, October 23, 2023, resulting in 31 deaths. At least 25 of the victims were students, and a teacher also perished. The pilot was also killed in the crash. The incident occurred during a Bangladesh Air Force training exercise.
On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, hundreds of students protested near the crash site, demanding accountability from authorities, compensation for victims' families, and a halt to training flights using what they described as "outdated and unsafe" jets. Protesters clashed with security forces, and two senior government advisors were forced to take cover amid the demonstrations. The military attributed the crash to "mechanical failure," according to Dhaka journalist Zyma Islam of the Daily Star. Islam also noted that the part of the school impacted housed primary-aged children, and that many parents are still searching for their children, with the death toll potentially rising due to severe burn injuries sustained by hospitalized students.
Bangladesh declared Tuesday a national day of mourning.
Impact Statement: The incident has sparked widespread outrage and protests, raising serious questions about the safety of military training exercises in densely populated areas and the adequacy of Bangladesh's air force equipment.