At least 19 dead after air force jet crashes into Bangladesh school | BBC News

Bangladesh Air Force Training Jet Crash Summary

Key Concepts: Air Force training jet crash, mechanical failure, school compound, casualties (deaths and injuries), rescue operations, investigation, national mourning.

Incident Overview

A Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a school compound in Dhaka, resulting in at least 19 deaths and over 160 injuries. The incident occurred in the northern suburb of Utara. Video footage shows a large fire and thick smoke plumes at the crash site.

Details from the Scene

Reporter Shaoage Rocky reported from the scene, approximately 100 meters from the crash site. He stated that the crash occurred around 1:00 PM when most students were in classrooms. An eyewitness reported that a friend died in front of him during the crash. The eyewitness presumed many primary students inside the classrooms and 10-15 guardians waiting outside were killed as the plane collapsed on top of them. Residential buildings near the school also house students, and their situation remains unknown. Ambulances were observed transporting casualties to nearby hospitals. Security forces, including the army, navy, air force, and fire service, initiated rescue operations, cordoning off the area.

Government and Air Force Statements

Correspondent Yagita Lama reported that a spokesperson for Bangladesh's military confirmed the crash involved a Bangladesh Air Force jet on a training mission. The jet suffered mechanical failure shortly after takeoff. An investigation will be conducted to determine the specific details of the failure. The pilot attempted to steer the aircraft away from a densely populated area but was unsuccessful, resulting in the crash into a two-story building on the school campus. Helicopters were deployed to transport the injured to hospitals.

Fire Department and Eyewitness Accounts

The chief of Bangladesh's fire department stated that the two-story building housed classrooms for second and fourth-grade students. Lessons had ended, but students, teachers, and parents picking up their children were still present. Eyewitnesses near the school gate reported hearing a loud explosion followed by fire and smoke. Parents rushed their children away from the scene. Firefighters are struggling to control the blaze using large hoses.

Casualty Figures and Identification Challenges

The Bangladesh government reported 19 deaths and over 160 injuries. The total number of casualties may not be finalized, as the presence of parents and others at the school after lessons ended needs to be accounted for. The identification of bodies, especially those severely impacted by the explosion and fire, may require forensic and DNA testing, drawing parallels to the challenges faced during the Allahabad air crash in India.

National Response

The leader of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Eunice, announced a day of national mourning on Tuesday.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The crash of a Bangladesh Air Force training jet into a school compound resulted in significant loss of life and injuries. The incident is under investigation to determine the cause of the mechanical failure. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the government has declared a day of national mourning. The identification of victims and the final casualty count remain ongoing processes.