Bangladesh Air Force jet crashes into school, killing 27 in Dhaka
At least 27 people were killed and over 100 injured when a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a school compound in Dhaka on Monday afternoon, officials confirmed.
The Chinese-made F-7BGI fighter jet went down near the entrance of Milestone School and College, a two-storey educational facility in the capital’s northern area. Many students were present on campus at the time of the incident.
The aircraft took off at 1:06 p.m. local time and crashed shortly after, erupting in flames. The cause of the crash remains unknown, but authorities have launched an investigation.
Sayedur Rahman, assistant to interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus, confirmed the death toll while speaking from the Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in Dhaka, where many of the injured are receiving treatment.
The government declared a national day of mourning for Tuesday in honor of the victims.
Nine fire engines were dispatched to control the blaze, according to Fire Service official Khaleda Khatun.
Eyewitness Pintu, who was at the school to pick up his child, described the moment of impact: “I saw the aircraft drop suddenly and then a huge fireball. I ran for cover, but thankfully found my son safe afterward,” he told Jamuna TV.
Further updates are expected as investigations continue.
