At least 19 people have been confirmed dead and 164 others injured after a Bangladeshi Air Force training jet crashed into a school campus in Dhaka’s northern suburb of Uttara on Monday afternoon.

The tragic incident occurred just after 1:00 p.m. local time (07:06 GMT) when an F-7 fighter jet, engaged in a routine training exercise, suffered a mechanical failure shortly after takeoff from an air force base in the capital. The aircraft plunged into the Milestone School and College, a two-storey educational facility that caters to students aged between four and 18.

Dramatic footage from the crash site shows towering flames and thick plumes of smoke engulfing the school buildings. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, battling fires and combing through rubble in search of survivors. Crowds of shocked onlookers gathered, with some scaling rooftops to witness the chaotic aftermath.

The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam, was among those killed. According to a statement from the Bangladeshi armed forces, he made a valiant attempt to steer the jet toward a less populated area before the crash.

More than 50 of the injured, including children and adults, were admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, many suffering from severe burns.

Rezaul Islam, a teacher at the college, said he witnessed the jet slam directly into the building. Another teacher, Masud Tarik, described hearing a massive explosion, followed by a wave of fire and smoke. “There were many guardians and kids here,” he told Reuters.

A student also recounted seeing the plane strike the building “right in front of my eyes,” underscoring the traumatic impact on the school community.

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the crash. An official inquiry committee has been formed, and emergency teams continue their search and rescue efforts amid the debris.

Bangladesh’s interim Prime Minister, Muhammad Yunus, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and pledged full support for victims and their families. “This is a moment of deep sorrow for the nation. I wish the injured a speedy recovery and instruct all authorities, including hospitals, to handle the situation with utmost importance,” he said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

In response to the tragedy, the government has declared Tuesday a national day of mourning. The Bangladeshi flag will fly at half-mast across the country in honor of the victims.