DHAKA, Bangladesh (BN24) — A Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crashed into a school campus in the capital city Monday, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 100 others in one of the deadliest military aviation incidents in the country’s recent history.
The aircraft struck Milestone School and College, located in the Diabari neighborhood in northern Dhaka, at approximately 1:18 p.m. local time, according to state-run BSS News, which cited a Fire Service and Civil Defense official. The BAF F-7 fighter jet, which was on a routine flight, erupted into flames on impact, tearing through parts of the school building and sending plumes of black smoke into the sky.
Emergency officials on the scene confirmed that many of the casualties were students and staff who were inside the building at the time. Hospitals across the capital are currently treating at least 83 people injured in the crash, with several reported to be in critical condition. The aircraft’s pilot was among those killed, regional officials told The Associated Press.
The crash prompted an immediate national response. Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it a moment of profound national grief. In a statement posted to social media platform X, Yunus offered condolences to the families of the deceased and instructed hospitals and emergency authorities to prioritize the treatment of the injured.
“I express my deep grief and sorrow over the tragic incident of casualties caused by the crash,” Yunus said. “This is a moment of profound pain for the nation. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and direct all concerned authorities, including hospitals, to address the situation with the utmost priority.”
The government declared a National Day of Mourning following the crash, with special prayers held across the country in memory of the victims. While rescue efforts concluded by evening, an investigation is now underway to determine what caused the crash of the Chinese-built F-7 aircraft, a long-serving component of the Bangladesh Air Force fleet.
The impact on the school, which serves hundreds of students in the area, has sparked outrage and sorrow among local residents and education officials. Many are questioning why a military jet was flying near a densely populated educational zone.
As the country mourns the victims of this deadly accident, attention is turning to safety protocols and the maintenance status of military aircraft operating in populated regions. With dozens still hospitalized and the nation grieving, Monday’s jet crash in Dhaka stands as a grim reminder of the risks tied to military aviation in urban centers.
