Bangladesh declared Tuesday (July 22) as a day of national mourning, following the country’s deadliest aviation disaster in decades. A Bangladeshi Air Force jet on Monday (July 21) crashed into a school building in the capital, Dhaka, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 170.

Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor of the interim government in Bangladesh, expressed “deep grief and sorrow” over the tragedy. In a statement posted on X, he described the loss as “irreparable,” extending condolences to the families of students, teachers, and Air Force personnel affected.

"The loss suffered by the Air Force, the students, parents, teachers, and staff of Milestone School and College, as well as others affected by this accident, is irreparable," he wrote.

"This is a moment of profound pain for the nation," Yunus added.

According to the military, the pilot was on a routine training flight when the aircraft"reportedly encountered a mechanical failure." Efforts were made to steer the jet away from densely populated areas, but"despite his best efforts," it crashed into the two-storey Milestone School and College.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash, which marks the worst aviation tragedy since 1984, when a commercial flight from Chattogram to Dhaka went down, killing all 49 people on board.

"The exact cause remains under investigation," the military said said in a statement.

In solidarity with Dhaka

As investigators work to determine the cause, leaders from across the region, including India and Pakistan, expressed grief and offered support to the Bangladeshi people during this national tragedy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed his deep shock and sorrow over the loss of lives in the tragic Bangladesh Air Force training jet crash in Dhaka's Diabari area earlier today.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister conveyed his condolences, stating that India stands in solidarity with the people of Bangladesh and is ready to extend its support and assistance for the rescue operation following the incident.

Echoing similar sentiments, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his grief over the incident. “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the aircraft crash at Milestone School in Dhaka. My heartfelt condolences to the people of Bangladesh, especially the families of the victims, many of them young children,” he said.

“Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Bangladesh in these difficult moments," he added.