By BBC News, Dhaka/Singapore

Bangladesh is mourning after a military training jet crashed into a school in the capital, Dhaka, killing at least 27 people—many of them children who had just left their classrooms. The country has declared a national day of mourning as rescue operations continue and investigations are underway.

What Happened?

On Monday, an F-7 BGI fighter jet operated by the Bangladesh Air Force took off from a base in Dhaka around 1:00 PM local time for a routine training flight. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft reportedly developed a mechanical fault and crashed into the Milestone School and College in the Uttara neighborhood.

The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam, was among those killed. Military officials stated he attempted to steer the jet away from densely populated areas before impact.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and devastation. “There was an explosion, then smoke and fire everywhere,” said Masud Tarik, a teacher at the school. Another teacher, Rezaul Islam, said he saw the plane directly hit the school building.

Emergency services quickly arrived, digging through rubble in search of survivors. The crash marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Bangladesh in decades.

Who Were the Victims?

The majority of those killed were students and their parents. The Milestone School and College, a private institution with approximately 2,000 pupils, was in session at the time of the crash.

The health ministry confirmed that at least 17 of the dead were children. Most of the injured were between 10 and 15 years old, many suffering from severe burns caused by jet fuel. Over 170 people were injured in total, and more than 50 remain in hospital, many in critical condition.

Year 10 student Farhan Hasan told BBC Bangla he had just completed an exam and stepped outside when the jet crashed. “My best friend, who was with me in the exam hall, died in front of my eyes,” he recalled. “Parents were inside waiting for their kids… the plane took them too.”

At least one classroom for grades five to seven was directly hit. Teachers said students had remained behind for extra coaching when the crash occurred.

Response and Aftermath

Hospitals across Dhaka are overwhelmed. The National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery and six other hospitals are treating victims. Family members crowded outside, searching for news of loved ones. Volunteers lined up to donate blood, and several political leaders visited the injured.

The government has established an emergency hotline and promised full support for victims’ families. Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus announced that unidentified bodies would be matched using DNA testing, and urged the public to avoid overcrowding hospitals.

“Necessary measures will be taken to find the cause of this tragedy,” Yunus said. “All authorities must respond with the highest level of urgency.”

How Common Are Air Crashes in Bangladesh?

Major plane crashes are rare in Bangladesh, though there have been previous incidents involving military aircraft. In 2008, an F-7 jet crashed near Dhaka, killing the pilot. The country’s last major commercial aviation disaster occurred in 2018 when a US-Bangla Airlines plane crashed in Nepal, killing 51.

Monday’s crash is the deadliest involving a military aircraft in the country in decades.

What’s Next?

A formal investigation has been launched by the armed forces. Officials are examining the aircraft’s flight data and maintenance history. The F-7, a Chinese-built fighter used primarily for training, has had a record of incidents globally due to its age and mechanical complexity.

Leaders from neighboring countries, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, expressed condolences.

As Bangladesh grieves, questions remain about how such a tragedy could occur and whether more could have been done to prevent it. For now, the focus is on healing—and finding answers.