Air force jet crashes into school in Bangladesh, at least 27 dead

Over in Bangladesh.

A tragic aviation accident in the country's capital has led to at least 27 deaths.

A military jet crashed into a school during a routine training session.

Byeon Ye-young reports.

A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a school in the nation's capital on Monday at around 1 PM local time, killing at least 27 people.

According to officials, most of the victims were students.

"I was there just ten minutes ago. After I moved, moments later, the plane crashed into the building."

The crash caused a major fire that injured over 170 people, leaving many students with burns.

Helicopters, ambulances, and motorized rickshaws were used in the rescue operation.

Some students were carried out in the arms of firefighters and by family members.

"When we came out, we saw many students who had been charred. On the staircases, many were rolling on the floor trying to extinguish the flames."

According to a military statement, the F-7 BGI jet experienced a technical issue shortly after takeoff during a routine training flight.

The military said the pilot, who also died in the crash, tried to divert the plane to a less populated area before it ultimately struck the campus.

An investigation is underway.

The government has declared a national day of mourning, with flags at half-mast and special prayers held at all places of worship.

In a video address, Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh's interim government, extended condolences to the families of the victims.

"What a tremendous tragedy this is. We are with you. The entire nation stands with you."

The incident comes just over a month after an Air India plane crashed into a medical college hostel in neighboring India's Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 on the ground, the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade.

Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.