Dhaka: Bangladesh is observing a day of mourning after at least 31 people were killed when a military jet crashed into a school. Many of the victims were students who had just come out of class when an F-7 jet crashed into the Milestone School and College in the capital Dhaka. The armed forces said that the jet had reportedly experienced a mechanical fault after taking off for a training exercise, with the pilot being among those killed, adding that an investigation would be held.
According to BBC, the air force stated that the F-7 jet had suffered a mechanical fault, and the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md Taukir Islam, had attempted to steer it to a less crowded area. He was among those killed. A teacher at the college, Rezaul Islam, told BBC Bangla that he saw the plane "directly" hit the building. Another teacher, Masud Tarik, described hearing an explosion and seeing "fire and smoke" in the aftermath.
Images from the scene showed emergency service workers sorting through the rubble to find survivors. An investigation committee has been formed to look into the incident, said the armed forces in a statement.
Most of the victims were students at the Milestone School and College, a private institution with around 2,000 students. At least 17 of the deceased are children, according to the health ministry. Year 10 student Farhan Hasan recounted how he had just left the building after an exam when he witnessed the crash. "My best friend... died right in front of my eyes," he said.
Family members and teachers have shared their grief, with one man noting his eight-year-old nephew was among the deceased. The crash happened as students were leaving for the day, and many parents were present to pick up their children.
At least 160 people were injured, with most of the injured aged between 10 and 15, suffering from jet fuel burns. More than 50 people were taken to hospital with burns, many in critical condition, according to a doctor at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
Plane crashes are relatively rare in Bangladesh. The last major plane disaster occurred in 1984 with a Biman flight crash. In 2018, a US-Bangla Airlines flight crashed in Nepal, and in 2008, another F-7 jet crashed outside Dhaka.
The city is still coping with the aftermath, with medical efforts underway. The National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery has been overwhelmed with family members and volunteers. A hotline has been launched to assist with casualties, and government officials, including Muhammad Yunus, have urged the public to avoid overcrowding hospitals.
Condolences have poured in from leaders of neighboring countries, including Pakistan and India. The incident remains under investigation to determine the cause and ensure necessary assistance.