A Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crashed into a school in the capital city of Dhaka on Monday afternoon, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 160 others. The dead include the pilot and several schoolchildren, according to officials and emergency responders.
The aircraft, identified by the military as an F‑7 BGI training jet, went down at approximately 1:06 p.m. local time, crashing into the junior section of Milestone School and College in the Uttara area. The school, which was in session at the time, suffered severe damage, including a large fire that destroyed multiple classrooms and parts of the canteen.
The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md. Toukir Islam, had taken off from Bangabandhu Air Base shortly before the incident and reported a technical malfunction before the crash, according to the Air Force. Witnesses and video footage confirmed that the aircraft made a low pass over residential areas before nose-diving into the school compound.
Local residents described a loud explosion followed by panic and confusion. Emergency services, including the fire brigade, army personnel, and ambulances, responded within minutes. Rescue workers and volunteers pulled dozens of injured students and staff from the rubble, with many suffering from burns, fractures, and smoke inhalation.
Hospitals across Dhaka were placed on emergency alert. Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Kurmitola General Hospital, and the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery received most of the casualties. Hospital authorities confirmed that several of the injured remain in critical condition, and the death toll may rise.
Government officials declared a national day of mourning to be observed on Tuesday, with flags ordered to fly at half-mast. Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus expressed his condolences and said that all medical expenses for the injured would be covered by the state. He also ordered a high-level inquiry into the crash, which will be led by the Bangladesh Air Force in coordination with the Ministry of Defense.
The F‑7 BGI is a Chinese-built variant of the J‑7 aircraft and has been in service in Bangladesh for over a decade. The aircraft is used primarily for training purposes, but concerns have been raised in recent years about its aging systems and limited safety features. Monday’s crash is the latest in a series of incidents involving F‑7 jets in South Asia.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin, currently abroad, sent a statement expressing grief and called for accountability. Condolences were also offered by international leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed solidarity with Bangladesh in the face of the tragedy.
Parents and family members of students gathered at the crash site and at nearby hospitals. Many described harrowing searches for their children and expressed frustration over flight operations in densely populated areas. Civil society organizations and local officials echoed these concerns, with calls for a review of air training routes near residential zones.
Looking Ahead
Authorities are continuing to search the site for any missing persons and to assess the structural damage to the school. Military officials have confirmed that a full investigation is underway, with preliminary findings expected within days. Classes at Milestone School and College have been suspended until further notice.
The funeral of Flight Lieutenant Islam will be conducted with full military honors. The government has promised support for affected families and pledged to reexamine flight safety protocols, especially in urban areas.
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