A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a school campus in Dhaka shortly after take-off on Monday, resulting in at least 18 fatalities, including the pilot, and 164 injuries, according to military sources.
The Chinese-made F-7 BGI aircraft crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College in the Uttara neighborhood, the military and a fire official confirmed. The incident occurred in the afternoon while classes were in session.
The military reported that the jet took off at 1.06pm local time and crashed shortly thereafter, immediately erupting in flames.
The cause of the crash remains undetermined.
This is reported to be the deadliest plane crash in Dhaka in recent years.
Local media reports indicate that a majority of those injured were students.
Following the crash, relatives rushed to the scene as rescuers utilized tricycle rickshaws and other available means to transport the injured to nearby hospitals.
Rafiqa Taha, a student who was not present during the crash, told The Associated Press via phone that the Milestone School and College, catering to approximately 2,000 students, offers education from elementary to twelfth grade.
“I was terrified watching videos on TV,” the 16-year-old said. “My God. It’s my school.”
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash, expressing his profound sorrow over the “heartbreaking accident” at Milestone School and College.
In a statement, he expressed his deep regret over the “irreparable” loss suffered by “Air Force personnel, students, parents, teachers, staff, and others”, characterizing the event as “a moment of deep national grief”.
