BANGLADESH AIR FORCE TRAINER JET CRASHES INTO SCHOOL, KILLING 31 INCLUDING PILOT
A Bangladesh Air Force trainer jet crashed into a school building in the southeastern district of Chattogram on Thursday, killing at least 31 people, including the pilot, in one of the deadliest aviation disasters in the country’s recent history. The incident has triggered nationwide grief and raised serious questions about flight safety protocols and the location of military training zones near densely populated civilian areas.
The crash occurred mid-morning, during school hours, when the jet—a Chinese-built K-8W Karakorum training aircraft—lost control shortly after takeoff from a nearby airbase. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane in distress before it nosedived and slammed into the school compound, igniting a massive fire. The blaze spread rapidly through the classrooms, trapping dozens of students and teachers inside.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with firefighters battling the flames for over two hours before bringing them under control. Rescue workers pulled out charred bodies and severely injured survivors, many of them children. Hospitals in Chattogram were overwhelmed as scores of casualties were transported for treatment, with several in critical condition.
The Bangladesh Air Force confirmed the death of the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Rashid Ahmed, who was said to be on a routine training exercise. Preliminary reports suggest the aircraft experienced a mechanical failure, though a full investigation has been launched. Air Force spokesperson Group Captain Arif Hossain stated that a special inquiry committee had been formed and that all training flights have been temporarily suspended.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and offered condolences to the grieving families. “This is a national tragedy. The loss of innocent lives, especially young students, is heartbreaking,” she said in a statement. She also ordered the provision of immediate financial assistance to the victims’ families and called for strict scrutiny of military aviation safety standards.
Education Minister Dipu Moni, who visited the crash site, promised that the government would rebuild the school and ensure psychological support for traumatized survivors. “We must take every measure to ensure this never happens again. Schools should never be at risk from military activities,” she said.
Public anger has grown over the proximity of air force training routes to residential and educational areas. Local residents and civil society groups have long urged the military to relocate training operations away from populated zones, citing noise hazards and safety concerns. Thursday’s incident has reignited these calls with renewed urgency.
Aviation analysts note that the K-8W is widely used for basic pilot training across several countries but has been involved in past crashes due to system failures and pilot error. The Bangladesh Air Force operates more than a dozen of these aircraft as part of its pilot training program.
As the country enters a period of mourning, flags have been lowered to half-mast at public institutions, and prayer vigils are being held across the nation. The tragedy in Chattogram is a stark reminder of the risks associated with military operations near civilian zones and underscores the need for immediate reforms in safety and urban planning.
Authorities have pledged a transparent investigation and justice for the victims, as Bangladesh grapples with the emotional and societal impact of this devastating crash.