A devastating fighter jet crash in Dhaka has claimed the lives of at least 27 people, most of them schoolchildren. The crash occurred on Monday when a Bangladeshi F-7 BJI aircraft went down near Milestone School and College in the capital.
Officials say the Chinese-made fighter jet was on a routine training mission when it reportedly suffered mechanical failure. Flight lieutenant Towkir Islam, the pilot, tried to steer the aircraft away from the densely populated area, but the jet ultimately struck the two-storey school building just as classes had ended.
Bangladesh Fighter Jet Crash Leaves a Nation in Mourning
According to Sayedur Rahman from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 25 of the victims were children, with the pilot and another adult also among the dead. The crash injured more than 170 people, with 78 currently receiving treatment at various hospitals.
The Bangladesh military confirmed that the pilot attempted emergency diversion but could not avoid the tragic outcome. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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The crash marks the deadliest aviation accident in Bangladesh in decades. In response, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has declared a national day of mourning for Tuesday.
Emergency responders, local residents, and school staff rushed to the site to help rescue victims from the debris. Images from the scene showed shattered classrooms and destroyed walls, highlighting the impact of the mid-air failure and crash.
As the nation grieves, officials are calling for a detailed investigation to determine whether safety protocols were followed and if any systems failed.
This heartbreaking event has shaken the country and raised serious concerns about flight safety near populated urban areas, especially near schools and residential zones.
