By: Rejoice Henrietta Otoo Arthur
At least 19 people have been confirmed dead and over 100 others injured after a Bangladeshi Air Force training jet crashed into a school campus in the capital city, Dhaka, on Monday afternoon. The crash caused a massive fire at Milestone School and College in the Uttara area, with thick smoke seen rising into the sky.
The military has identified the aircraft as an F-7 BGI training jet that took off shortly after 1:00 p.m. local time. A witness and teacher at the school, Rezaul Islam, told BBC Bangla he saw the plane crash directly into the building. A student added, “I saw it hit right in front of my eyes.”
Medical officials at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery said more than 50 people, including both students and adults, were taken to hospital with serious burns. The death toll may increase, as some of the victims are in critical condition.
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, expressed sorrow over the tragedy and ordered a full investigation. He also directed hospitals and emergency responders to give the victims top priority. “This is a moment of deep sorrow for the nation,” he said in a statement on X.
Authorities are working to determine what caused the crash, as aviation incidents involving military aircraft raise renewed concerns about flight safety and protocol.
