Death toll rises to 19 in military plane crash on college in Bangladesh VIDEO/UPDATED

At least 19 people have now been confirmed dead after a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a college and school campus in Dhaka’s Uttara area earlier on July 21, fire service officials confirmed. 

More than 50 people — including children and adults — were rushed to hospitals with severe burn injuries, according to doctors at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Caliber.Az reports via Reuters.

The crash occurred at the Milestone School and College in the northern part of the capital. Videos circulating online show a large blaze near a lawn area, sending thick black smoke into the sky as bystanders looked on in shock.

Firefighters battled the flames and worked to cool the mangled aircraft wreckage, which appeared to have slammed into the side of a building, tearing through iron grills and leaving a gaping hole, Reuters TV footage showed.

“A third-grade student was brought in dead, and three others, aged 12, 14 and 40, were admitted to the hospital,” said Bidhan Sarker, head of the burn unit at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, where several victims are being treated.

“When I was picking [up] my kids and went to the gate, I realised something came from behind...I heard an explosion. When I looked back, I only saw fire and smoke,” said Masud Tarik, a teacher at the school.

Witness visuals captured moments of panic, with people screaming and crying, while others tried to console them.

Bangladesh’s interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus offered condolences and promised an inquiry into the incident.

“Necessary measures” would be taken to investigate the cause of the crash and “ensure all kinds of assistance,” he said.

“The loss suffered by the Air Force...students, parents, teachers and staff, and others in this accident is irreparable,” Yunus added.

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A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a college campus in the Uttara area of Dhaka on July 21, killing one person and injuring over 50 others, according to officials.

The F-7 BGI fighter jet, used for training purposes, took off from an airbase at 13:06 local time before crashing shortly after, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement, Caliber.Az reports per Reuters.

“Bangladesh Air Force's F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed in Uttara. The aircraft took off at 13:06 [11:06 GMT+4],” it said.

The cause of the crash is not yet known, and the number of fatalities could rise. “The death toll is yet to be ascertained,” a military spokesperson noted.

Footage circulating on social media showed thick black smoke rising above the college lawn, as a large crowd gathered at a distance. Initial reports from local daily Prothom Alo suggested the aircraft crashed onto the roof of the college canteen, though this has not been independently verified by Reuters.

More than 50 people, including children and adults, were admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, a doctor at the facility confirmed. Many are reported to be in critical condition.

Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, expressed deep condolences and vowed a full investigation into the incident.

“Necessary measures” would be taken to investigate the cause of the accident and “ensure all kinds of assistance,” Yunus said. 

“The loss suffered by the Air Force...students, parents, teachers and staff, and others in this accident is irreparable,” he added.

By Sabina Mammadli