Staff Correspondent:

Bangladesh observed one-day state mourning on Tuesday over the tragic crash of a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) fighter jet in Diabari area of Dhaka that left 31 dead and 165 injured.

The national flag was kept at half-mast at all government, semi-government, and autonomous offices, as well as at all educational institutions across the country.

Special prayers were offered at religious institutions and places of worship across the country for the departed souls and for the quick recovery of the injured. The tragedy occurred on Monday.

The government declared a one-day state mourning for Tuesday following the tragic crash of a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) fighter jet on the compound of Milestone School and College in the capital’s Diabari area, said a press release issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.

The fighter jet BAF F-7 BGI crashed on the Milestone School and College campus around 1:18pm.

A fire broke out after the crash and rescue operations were carried out by several units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the BAF jet crash has climbed to 31, according to ISPR.

“The ISPR reported the number of casualties as 31. A total of 78 people are admitted to four hospitals. The deceased include 25 children, one pilot, and one teacher.

The bodies of 20 victims have already been handed over to their relatives,” said Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Dr Sayedur Rahman during a briefing at 8am Tuesday at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.