A training aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) crashed in Dhaka’s Uttara area on Monday afternoon, leaving at least 19 people dead and an unspecified number of people including students injured.

At a press briefing at the scene, Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Brigadier General Md Jahed Kamal said 19 bodies were recovered from the school compound. “The rescue operation is underway,” he said.

Lima Khanam, a duty officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) control room, said the crash was reported at Milestone School and College around 1:18 pm.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene immediately, she said.

Dr Abhijit, director of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said at least 50 injured people were brought to the hospital and the number is rising.

An energy service unit has been opened to provide treatment to the aircraft crash victims, he said.

Witnesses reported that the aircraft burst into flames upon impact, leaving an unspecified number of people injured.

Several of the injured were rescued and taken to the Burn Institute in Dhaka, while others were airlifted due to the severity of their injuries.  A number of injured students were also admitted to Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital (BMSRI).

The fate of the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Toukir Islam Sagar, remains unclear as of filing this report.

Talha Bin Zashim, media cell station officer at FSCD headquarters, said eight firefighting units from Uttara, Tongi, Pallabi, Kurmitola, Mirpur, and Purbachal were working to control the blaze and assist in the rescue effort.

A BAF rescue team also reached the site and joined the operation, UNB’s correspondent reports.

Several ambulances arrived at the location to transport the injured, while local residents and Milestone College students were seen helping emergency responders.

To assist with rescue efforts and maintain order, two platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer at the BGB headquarters.

A large crowd gathered at the crash site, which has caused disruptions to rescue operations.