A devastating tragedy struck the capital city of Bangladesh when a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka, killing at least 19 people, including the pilot and multiple children, and injuring more than 160 others.

The jet, identified as a Chinese-made F-7 BGI—an advanced variant of the Chengdu J-7 fighter—was on a routine training flight when it reportedly suffered a mechanical failure shortly after takeoff from Kurmitola Air Base around 1:06 PM local time.

Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene as the aircraft spiraled downward, trailing smoke before crashing directly into the school’s main academic building. The pilot, Flight Lt. Mohammed Toukir Islam, is believed to have attempted to divert the plane away from more populated areas in a final act of bravery before the crash.

Most of the deceased were students aged between 7 to 16 years, present in classrooms during school hours. The blast caused a partial collapse of the building, and several rooms were engulfed in flames. Emergency services rushed to the site, with visuals showing terrified students and parents fleeing amidst chaos.

The government has declared national mourning on July 22, with flags flying at half-staff. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and interim leader Muhammad Yunus have expressed deep sorrow, and financial compensation has been announced for victims’ families.