A devastating Bangladesh Air Force jet crash has left at least 27 people dead, including 25 schoolchildren, after an F-7 BGI aircraft crashed into a school and college campus in Dhaka during a routine training flight. Officials confirmed the tragedy late Monday, with 88 others hospitalized for severe burn injuries.
The Chinese-made F-7 BGI fighter jet, part of Bangladesh’s air defense fleet, took off from Kurmitola Airbase at 1:06 p.m. local time before experiencing a mechanical failure that caused it to crash into the densely populated educational complex.
Among the deceased are 25 children, one teacher, and the pilot, according to Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser on health. Hospitals across Dhaka are currently treating scores of burn victims, with many in critical condition.
National Mourning Declared
In response to the tragedy, the Government of Bangladesh has declared a national day of mourning, ordering flags at half-mast and calling for special prayers in mosques, temples, churches, and other places of worship across the country.
Aircraft Background and Crash Details
The F-7 BGI, the most advanced variant of China’s Chengdu J-7 fighter, was inducted into the Bangladesh Air Force following a 2011 contract for 16 aircraft, completed by 2013. The jet is typically used for training and tactical missions.
This incident marks one of the worst aviation tragedies in Bangladesh’s recent history, drawing parallels to the Air India crash in Ahmedabad last month, where 241 passengers and 19 bystanders lost their lives after a passenger plane crashed into a medical college hostel.
Emergency Response and Investigation Underway
Emergency services and military personnel worked through the night, recovering bodies and searching the charred ruins of the school campus. Grieving family members gathered near the crash site, many still searching for missing loved ones.
An official investigation has been launched into the cause of the jet crash, focusing on possible technical or maintenance failures in the aging fleet.
