Military jet in Bangladesh crashes into college killing nearly 20
The crash, which preliminary reports show appeared to be accidental in nature, took place at Milestone School and College in the capital of Dhaka, Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defense reported on Facebook.
The country of Bangladesh borders India to its east, and its capital is one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the world.
The F-7 BGI jet took off just after 1 p.m. local time from the Bangladesh Air Force base "as part of a routine training mission, but encountered a mechanical failure," Reuters reported military spokesperson, Lt. Colonel Sami Ud Dowla Chowdhury said.
The spokesperson said the pilot, "made a valiant attempt to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas," adding" despite his best efforts," the jet crashed into a two-story building belonging to the college.
Chowdhury did not release what the mechanical failure was, but the military reported the pilot was among the 19 people killed so far in the crash.
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How many people died in Bangladesh plane crash?
As of Monday, local police and fire had reported 19 people died in the crash, including a child as young as 12.
Local police and fire also reported 164 people injured, according to Reuters, me whom emergency responders transported some victims to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.
"A third-grade student was brought in dead, and three others, aged 12, 14 and 40, were admitted to the hospital," Bidhan Sarker, head of the burn unit at the hospital, told the outlet.
What caused the Bangladesh military plane crash?
Photos and videos circulating online from the crash scene show large fire near a lawn with plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky while firefighters sprayed water on what was left of the jet.
Others show security and relief personnel carry an injured victim to an ambulance during a search and rescue efforts.
Footage filmed by Reuters shows remains of the plane, "which appeared to have rammed into the side of a building, damaging iron grills and creating a gaping hole in the structure."
The exact crash remained under investigation by agencies including the country's military officials Monday.
Contributing: Reuters
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
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