Deadly Jet Crash at Bangladesh School Kills 19, Injures Over 160
At least 19 people have died and 164 others were injured after a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara suburb on Monday afternoon, as reported by BBC.
Dramatic footage from the scene shows flames and thick black smoke billowing from the school’s two-storey building, as rescue teams rushed to pull victims from the debris.
According to a statement posted on Facebook by the Bangladesh Armed Forces, the F-7 aircraft experienced a mechanical failure shortly after taking off for a routine training flight around 13:00 local time (07:06 GMT). The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam, was among those killed. Authorities say he attempted to steer the aircraft toward a less populated area before impact.
Dozens of students, teachers, and bystanders, including children aged between 4 and 18, were among the injured, with over 50 people suffering burn injuries. Many were taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery and other nearby hospitals.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror. «I saw the plane hit the building directly,» said Rezaul Islam, a teacher at the school. Another teacher, Masud Tarik, told Reuters he heard an explosion followed by flames and chaos: «There were many guardians and kids here.»
Images from the crash site showed emergency crews combing through charred rubble, while onlookers gathered on rooftops and crowded streets to watch the rescue operation unfold.
Bangladesh’s interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus expressed condolences and vowed a full investigation. «This is a moment of deep sorrow for the nation,» he posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding that all resources would be mobilized to support victims and their families.
The government has declared Tuesday a national day of mourning, with flags to be flown at half-mast across the country.
A formal inquiry has been launched to determine the cause of the crash. Rescue operations remain ongoing.
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