A devastating crash occurred Monday in Dhaka, Bangladesh, when a Bangladesh Air Force training jet slammed into the campus of Milestone School and College, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 100. The F-7 BGI aircraft, used for pilot instruction, had just taken off from Kurmitola Air Base around 1:06 p.m. local time when it reportedly malfunctioned mid-air. According to officials, the pilot attempted to redirect the aircraft away from densely populated neighborhoods before it crashed into the school grounds, erupting in a fiery explosion. The pilot, who did not survive, is being praised for trying to avoid greater casualties.
The force of the impact tore through classrooms, trapping students and staff inside as thick smoke and flames engulfed the site. Witnesses described a horrifying scene—twisted debris, shattered glass, and injured children being carried out of the wreckage by rescue teams and bystanders. Local hospitals were quickly overwhelmed, treating victims with serious burns and trauma. Among the deceased was at least one young student, and several teachers remain in critical condition. Emergency responders and fire crews worked for hours to fully extinguish the blaze and secure the area.
In response to the tragedy, Bangladesh’s caretaker Prime Minister, Mohammed Yunus, declared a National Day of Mourning and ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. Questions are now being raised about the safety protocols surrounding military flight operations near civilian areas, particularly schools. The military has confirmed it is cooperating fully with aviation authorities to determine what led to the malfunction. Meanwhile, grief hangs heavy in the Uttara neighborhood, as families grapple with the loss of loved ones and a community seeks answers in the wake of one of the country’s deadliest training flight disasters.
