At least 19 people were killed when a military aircraft crashed onto a school compound in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Authorities confirmed more than 50 people, including children, sustained injuries, many of them with burns.
The plane struck the Milestone school and college in northern Dhaka’s Uttara neighborhood on Monday.
A statement from the military’s public relations unit stated, “A Bangladesh air force F-7 BGI training jet crashed in Uttara after taking off at 13:06 (0706 GMT).”
Footage from the scene showed thick smoke and flames engulfing the area.
Bystanders watched as emergency crews attempted to extinguish the fire around the wreckage, which was embedded in the side of a building, leaving a large opening. Witnesses were heard crying while others tried to console them.
Bidhan Sarker, who leads the burns unit at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, reported, “A third-grade student was declared dead upon arrival, while three others—aged 12, 14, and 40—were hospitalized.”
A teacher at the school, Masud Tarik, recalled, “As I was collecting my children and heading to the gate, something came from behind. There was an explosion, and when I turned, all I saw were flames and smoke.”
Muhammad Yunus, acting leader of Bangladesh’s caretaker government, said an inquiry would be conducted to determine the cause of the crash, adding that support would be provided to those affected. He stated, “The loss endured by the military, students, families, staff, and others in this tragedy cannot be undone.”
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