DHAKA: At least 19 people have died and more than 100 have been injured after a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Uttara, a northern suburb of Dhaka, on Monday.

The F-7 BGI training aircraft took off at 1:06 PM local time and soon after, crashed directly into the school premises, triggering a massive fire and sending thick smoke billowing across the area. The pilot of the jet was also confirmed dead in the crash.

Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene. “I saw the plane directly hit the building,” said Rezaul Islam, a teacher at the school.

Another teacher, Masud Tarik, reported hearing a loud explosion before seeing flames and smoke. “There were many guardians and kids here,” he added.

The school caters to students aged four to 18. Over 50 individuals, including children and adults, were rushed to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, many with severe burns. Doctors say the death toll could rise as many are in critical condition.

Nine fire units and six ambulances responded to the emergency. Images from the scene show fire crews combing through charred debris and carrying bodies out of the wreckage.

Civilians watched from rooftops as the rescue efforts continued.

Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow and promised a thorough investigation into the crash.

“All authorities including hospitals are instructed to give this the utmost priority,” he said on X (formerly Twitter).

The government has declared Tuesday a national day of mourning. The national flag will be flown at half-mast across the country in honor of the victims.