Bangladesh Air Force’s Chinese-made Jet Crashes into School during Class, Killing 19

A Bangladesh air force training aircraft crashed into a school campus in the capital city of Dhaka on Monday, killing at least 19 people and injuring over 100 others, according to local authorities.

The aircraft, an F-7 BGI fighter jet of Chinese origin, went down around 1:06 p.m. local time during a routine training flight. It crashed near the main gate and roof of the canteen at Milestone School and College in the Uttara residential area, where classes were in progress.

“The plane fell on the gate and crashed nearby. A class was in session when it happened. The injured are being taken out one by one,” said Shah Bulbul, a school spokesperson, as reported by BDnews24.

Footage from the scene showed flames, smoke, and emergency personnel working to clear debris and evacuate victims. The aircraft appeared to have hit a section of the building, creating a large hole and causing structural damage. Firefighters and military rescue teams responded quickly.

The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) confirmed that the downed aircraft belonged to the Bangladesh Air Force. Authorities have not yet released details about the pilot or what caused the crash.

The Bangladesh government has launched an official investigation and declared a one-day national mourning. Muhammad Yunus, the interim Chief Adviser, said this is "a moment of profound pain for the nation" and pledged a full inquiry into the cause.

This crash follows another major aviation disaster in India just weeks ago, when an Air India plane crashed onto a medical college hostel in Ahmedabad, killing 241 people on board and 19 on the ground.