Bangladesh Air Force Jet Crashes into School, Killing 27

At least 27 people, including children and the pilot, were killed when a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a school and college campus in the capital city, Dhaka. The crash also injured 171 others, many of them children aged between 8 and 14.

The F-7 BGI aircraft took off from the Kurmitola airbase at 1:06 p.m. on Monday for a routine training flight but crashed shortly after due to a mechanical failure. The plane slammed into Milestone School and College in Uttara, causing a massive fire and panic among students and staff.

Flight Lieutenant Mohammed Toukir Islam, the pilot, was confirmed dead in the crash by the military.  Prior to the accident, he allegedly attempted to direct the plane away from congested areas.

 Firefighters and ambulances were among the emergency services that rushed to the area. Videos shared on social media showed heavy smoke, fire, and chaos as people tried to help the injured.

The Bangladesh government declared a national day of mourning. Flags were flown at half-mast, and special prayers were held across the country.

Health officials said that 88 of the injured were being treated in hospitals, many with severe burns. Many of the wounded are receiving treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, which has also launched a hotline.

The crash is under investigation by a special military committee. The government and humanitarian organizations like the Red Crescent have requested support and donations for those affected. 

This tragedy comes after another recent aviation disaster in neighboring India, where an Air India flight crashed, resulting in 260 deaths. This marks it as one of the deadliest aviation accidents in recent history.