The sporting fraternity across Bangladesh expressed deep sorrow and solidarity following the tragic Bangladesh Air Force F-7 aircraft crash at the Milestone School and College campus in Uttara, Dhaka, on Sunday afternoon. The crash claimed at least twenty lives and injured more than 100 people, including many schoolchildren.
Cricketers-footballers past and present echoed emotions on social media.
Litton Das, captain of Bangladesh’s T20 side, posted on Facebook: “Prayers and heartfelt thoughts go out to everyone affected by the Uttara Milestone School & College incident. May peace, healing, and strength find their way to the victims and their families.”
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal said he was heartbroken by the tragedy. “What has happened and is happening right now is incredibly sad. Our hearts are breaking apart,” he wrote. He also urged media outlets to blur the faces of the injured children, adding: “They are our children. All of our prayers go out to them.”
Former ODI skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza also reacted emotionally in a Facebook post, stating that the incident had “deeply shaken all of us.” He offered his prayers for the deceased and the injured, calling on everyone to unite in prayer.
Dhaka Abahani, one of the country’s leading football clubs, shared a statement:
“Abahani mourns in silence. Every affected family is in our prayers.”
National football team captain Jamal Bhuyan added his voice, writing:
“Horrible to see this. Praying for everyone involved.”
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) issued a formal statement, expressing its condolences:
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board is deeply shocked at the casualties from the tragic air crash near Milestone College in Dhaka. The BCB extends deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Our prayers and thoughts go out to all those affected in this devastating incident.”
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) also mourned the tragedy. President Tabith Awal said in a statement:
“We are deeply shocked and devastated to hear about the unfortunate event in Milestone School in Uttara. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the children who have lost their lives and with those who are injured. We express our solidarity with the affected families and members of the Bangladesh Air Force.”
The Bangladesh Air Force has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, and emergency services remain active at the scene.