At least 19 people, including students, died after a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into Milestone School and College in the country’s capital Dhaka on Monday.
According to reports, two teachers and the pilot of the Chinese-made jet died in the crash.
The mishap occurred in Uttara region of Dhaka, close to the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
TV footage and videos that have gone viral showed smoke and fire billowing from the site of the mishap.
According to reports, 162 people were injured in the incident.
They were rushed to different hospitals in the capital city for treatment.
The pilot who was flying the jet was identified as Flight Lieutenant Mohammed Toukir Islam.
Professor Dr Md Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser for the Health Ministry, told Dhaka Tribune: “This is a major incident. We are doing our utmost to respond with all available resources. Specialists are working tirelessly, and Dhaka Medical College is also on standby.”
“Efforts are underway to transfer patients to Dhaka Medical [College Hospital]. So far, around 60 individuals have been admitted here (NIBPS), and we have the capacity to admit another 10 to 15. Dhaka Medical is fully prepared to receive additional patients if necessary,” he said.
Several videos that have been shared online, claiming to have captured the crash site, showed people trying to rescue the victims of the accident.
A teacher, who survived the mishap, told The Daily Star: “There was no warning. Before we even understood what was happening, there were flames all around. Visibility dropped instantly. All I could see was fire, then smoke.”
He said students were lining up to leave the institution after the school break when the flames erupted.
“Both of my hands were burnt. I’m also experiencing breathing difficulties, and my face and ears are scorched,” the injured teacher said.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh government has announced one-day state mourning on Tuesday following the deadly crash.
