Accident Bangladeshi Air Force Jet Crashes into School, Killing 19 and Injuring Over 160

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A Bangladeshi air force jet crash has tragically killed at least 19 people and injured 164 after plummeting onto a school in Dhaka's suburb of Uttara. A massive blaze and thick smoke engulfed Milestone School and College when the F-7 aircraft struck a two-storey building during a training exercise.

 

The Bangladeshi armed forces confirmed a mechanical fault caused the crash soon after takeoff at 13:00 local time (07:06 GMT). The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam, was among those killed after he attempted to steer the jet to a safer area. More than 50 injured people, including children and adults, were rushed to hospital suffering from burns.

 

Witnesses recount the chaos, with teacher Rezaul Islam describing the plane's direct hit, while Masud Tarik reported hearing a loud explosion. A student noted the crash occurred "right in front of my eyes." The school caters to students aged four to 18, adding to the heartbreak of this devastating incident.

 

Emergency teams are actively conducting rescue operations and sorting through the debris. AAn official investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. Bangladesh's interim government leader, Muhammad Yunus, pledged comprehensive assistance and measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

 

The nation is mourning deeply, and a day of mourning has been declared. On Tuesday, flags will fly at half-mast, reflecting the profound sorrow shared across Bangladesh. The critical work to understand this tragedy and support the affected families continues.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-07-22