Training Jet Crashes Into Dhaka School, Killing 25 and Injuring 171

A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a school building in Dhaka on Monday afternoon, killing the pilot and 24 others, most of whom were students, and injuring at least 171 people, officials confirmed. The incident marked the deadliest plane crash in the capital in recent memory and sparked scenes of chaos and mourning across the city.

The Chinese-made F-7 BGI jet experienced a “technical malfunction” shortly after taking off at 1:06 p.m. local time from the A.K. Khandaker air force base. The pilot, Flight Lt. Mohammed Toukir Islam, attempted to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas but ultimately crashed into the two-story Milestone School and College building in the Uttara neighborhood. The plane caught fire upon impact, causing widespread destruction.

The military stated that the pilot made “every effort” to direct the aircraft to a less populated zone. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Initially, 20 deaths were reported following the crash, with five more succumbing to injuries overnight. Doctors said late Monday that about two dozen of the injured remained in critical condition. Hospitals across Dhaka reported treating hundreds, including children with severe burns. Victims were transported via helicopters, ambulances, rickshaws, and carried by firefighters and parents in desperate scenes following the explosion.

Milestone School and College, located about 11 kilometers from the air base, serves around 2,000 students from elementary to high school. The area is densely populated, with nearby metro stations, shops, and residential buildings. Students and staff described violent tremors and a massive explosion as the aircraft crashed.

A father at the crash site recounted arriving to see flames engulfing the school. His daughter survived, but others were not so fortunate. Witnesses described chaos, screaming relatives, and efforts by soldiers and emergency workers to rescue the wounded and locate the missing.

Doctors at Uttara Adhunik Hospital said over 60 children, mostly aged between 12 and 16, were transferred to a specialized burn unit. By Monday evening, rescue operations continued with cranes clearing debris from the site as officials searched for bodies.

In response to the tragedy, the government declared Tuesday a national day of mourning, with flags to fly at half-staff across the country. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow and pledged an investigation, calling the crash “a moment of deep national grief.”

International condolences also poured in. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via a post on X, offering support and solidarity with Bangladesh.

Among the expressions of tribute, 17-year-old Mosammat Sagorika, who scored four goals in a South Asian under-20 women’s soccer match against Nepal, dedicated the victory to the victims of the crash.

Eyewitness accounts from students and family members captured the horror of the moment. Jewel, a parent at the school, described missing a call from his wife while praying and arriving at the crash site to find a child’s body. Estiak Elahi Khan, an 11th-grade student, said he fought through crowds and soldiers to reach the wreckage and was left speechless by what he witnessed.

One student, Rafiqa Taha, who was not present during the crash, said, “I was terrified watching videos on TV. My God! It’s my school.”