• At least 31 people, mostly children, died when a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into Milestone School.
• More than 170 others were injured, with numerous critical conditions reported.
• Protests erupted among students demanding accountability, compensation, and an end to training flights.
• Reports indicate the aircraft suffered a mechanical failure shortly after takeoff.
• The interim government has declared a national day of mourning.

A tragic accident occurred on Monday when a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BJI training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College in Dhaka, resulting in the death of at least 31 individuals, including 25 students and the pilot. The crash, which happened shortly after takeoff from the Kurmitola airbase, has been deemed the deadliest aviation incident in decades for the country. Many of the deceased were children aged under 12 who had just been let out of class, according to military reports and eyewitnesses, who described chaos as the jet impacted the school premises, igniting a large fire and injuring over 170 people, with at least ten in critical condition, as reported by the military and health officials South China Morning Post, India Times, and Anadolu Agency.

Students at the affected school quickly initiated protests demanding transparency regarding the casualties and accountability for the crash. A student stated, "We saw body parts strewn all over the ground. Where are they?" As tensions escalated, many students clashed with law enforcement while demanding a halt to the Air Force's use of outdated training aircraft Channel News Asia, Los Angeles Times, and Al Jazeera.

The Bangladesh Air Force stated that the jet had encountered a mechanical failure. Despite efforts from the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md. Toukir Islam, to divert the aircraft away from populated areas, it struck the school, resulting in extensive damage and casualties Anadolu Agency, Reuters, and Newsweek.

As the nation mourns, there are calls to reassess air force training protocols, especially regarding flying over populated areas. The interim government declared a national day of mourning, with flags flown at half-mast Africa News and Dawn.