What to know about the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash into a Dhaka school

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A Bangladesh Air Force training jet has crashed into a school campus in Dhaka, killing at least 20 people

At least 20 people have been killed after a Bangladesh Air Force jet crashed into a private school campus in the south Asian country's capital, Dhaka, on Monday.

It is the deadliest airplane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory.

While details are still emerging, here's what is known so far:

The F-7 BGI jet, a variant of a Chinese fighter, crashed into the campus of the Milestone School and College, in the Uttara neighborhood of Dhaka.

The pilot was among the dead, according to military and a fire official.

More than 100 people have been injured.

Officials described the plane as a training aircraft. The military said the jet took off from Bangladesh Air Force Base A.K. Khandaker in Dhaka’s Kurmitola neighborhood at 1:06 p.m. local time and crashed soon after, catching fire immediately.

The miltary said the pilot tried to avoid densely populated areas but the jet hit a two-story building. It said the aircraft experienced a “technical malfunction,” adding that a high-level Air Force committee will investigate the cause.

The crash happened on the campus of Milestone, a school with some 2,000 students. It describes itself as having more than two decades of experience as a leading private educational institution.

Rafiqa Taha, a student who was not present at the time of the crash, told The Associated Press by phone that the school offers classes from elementary to twelfth grade.

The school says it has a focus on extracurricular activities, career counseling and “global opportunities.”

The Uttara neighborhood is in northern Dhaka, a metropolitan area of more than 20 million people.

Details are still emerging. Officials have said the pilot is among the dead.

Local media reports said many of the more than 100 injured were students who were on campus for afternoon classes.

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus pledged an investigation into the crash, expressing his deep sorrow over the “heartbreaking accident.”

The government has announced a national day of mourning on Tuesday, with flags to fly at half-staff across the country.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X: “Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance.”