Dhaka: A Bangladesh Air Force fighter training jet crashed into a school building in Dhaka’s Uttara area on Monday, killing at least 20 people, including the pilot and several children, and injuring 171 others. Authorities suspect a mechanical fault and have ordered a high-level probe into one of the country’s deadliest aviation accidents in recent history.

The F-7 BGI aircraft, manufactured in China, took off at 1:06 pm from the Bangladesh Air Force Base AK Khandaker in Kurmitola for a routine training session. The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) confirmed that a mechanical issue occurred shortly after takeoff, leading to the crash. “The details of which will be informed after investigation,” it added.

Pilot’s last effort: steer away from populated areas

Flight Lieutenant Mohammad Towkir Islam, who was flying the aircraft, died in the crash. “The pilot attempted to steer the aircraft away from densely populated areas. However, despite his efforts, the aircraft tragically crashed into the two-storey building of the school,” the ISPR said.

‘All I could see was fire, then smoke’

Eyewitnesses described the immediate aftermath as chaotic and terrifying. A teacher, who suffered burns, recalled: “There was no warning. Before we even understood what was happening, there were flames all around. Visibility dropped instantly. All I could see was fire, then smoke.”

Students were lining up to leave Milestone School and College just as the final bell rang when the jet crashed into classrooms used by Class 3 and Class 4 students. A large fire engulfed the area, according to fire service officials.

Massive response, state mourning declared

Firefighters, army troops, police and the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) rushed to the scene. "All injured individuals are being promptly transported to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and nearby hospitals," the ISPR added. Ambulances and Air Force helicopters aided the evacuation.

Brigadier General Zahed Kamal said 19 bodies were recovered from the school compound alone. Md Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, said that many of the injured were schoolchildren being treated at CMH, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (NIBPS). Eight people remain in critical condition.

High-level inquiry underway

The Bangladesh Air Force has formed a high-level investigation committee to determine the cause of the crash. The chief of army staff and other senior officers visited the site.

Three platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed to assist law enforcement and rescue operations.

Students, teachers describe horror

Fahim Hossain, an eleventh-grade student, said, “It hit the ground floor of a two-storey building around 1:15 pm.” He watched the crash unfold just 10 feet away.

Another teacher said, “Both of my hands were burnt. I'm also experiencing breathing difficulties, and my face and ears are scorched.”

Nuruzzaman Mridha, a teacher, added: “We transported some of the injured with burns onto rickshaws and vans.”

Nation mourns tragedy

The government has declared a one-day state mourning on July 22. Flags will fly at half-mast across Bangladesh and its diplomatic missions.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said: “I am deeply saddened by the casualties caused by the heartbreaking accident.”

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul called it “a great tragedy in our national life on an unprecedented scale.”