At least 19 fatalities reported as Bangladeshi air force jet crashes into school

The incident has sparked significant concern and calls for investigation from government officials.

At least 19 people have lost their lives, and over 100 individuals sustained injuries when a Bangladeshi air force training jet crashed into a school campus in Dhaka's northern suburb of Uttara. Eyewitness footage captured dramatic scenes of fire and dense smoke enveloping the Milestone School and College. The military confirmed one of their F-7 BGI aircraft was involved in the incident, which occurred shortly after takeoff at 13:06 local time.

Reports indicate that more than 50 individuals, including both children and adults, required hospitalization for burns and other injuries. A doctor from the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery highlighted the urgency of the situation as the death toll could potentially rise, with varying reports on the exact number of casualties.

Witness accounts provide chilling details, with a teacher named Rezaul Islam stating he saw the plane crash "directly" into the building. A student recounted watching the aircraft hit the school "right in front of my eyes."

In response to the tragedy, Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh's interim government, expressed his condolences and promised a thorough investigation into the crash's cause. He emphasized the need for prompt assistance for those affected by the disaster. "This is a moment of deep sorrow for the nation. I wish the injured a speedy recovery," Yunus mentioned in a post on social media platform X.