Bangladesh Jet Crash Kills 19 as Fighter Plane Slams Into School
- Admin
- Jul 21, 2025
- 3 min read
Dhaka, Bangladesh July 21, 2025. A devastating tragedy unfolded in the heart of Bangladesh’s capital today as a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara neighborhood, killing at least 19 people, including six students, two teachers, and the pilot. Over 100 others sustained injuries, many with severe burns, in one of the country’s worst air-related civilian disasters in recent memory.
The crash occurred in the early afternoon, just minutes after the aircraft, an F-7BGI fighter jet an advanced variant of China’s J-7 took off on a routine training flight. The plane lost control and plunged into a section of the school where classes and examinations were underway, igniting a massive fire and sending shockwaves through the densely populated urban area.
Eyewitnesses and students described a scene of sheer horror. Television and mobile phone footage showed flames and thick black smoke pouring from the school building as first responders and bystanders raced toward the burning wreckage. One particularly distressing video, widely circulated online, showed the remains of the jet’s engine embedded in the rubble of a destroyed classroom.
Another widely shared clip captured crowds screaming and scrambling as they attempted to pull victims from the debris, while firefighters battled to contain the inferno engulfing the single-story structure.
“I was terrified watching the videos on TV,” said Rafiqa Taha, a 16-year-old student who was not at school during the incident. “My God! It’s my school.”
The school, which houses approximately 2,000 students from elementary to higher secondary levels, was operating under normal conditions when the jet crashed.
Flight Lieutenant Mohammed Toukir Islam, the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft, was also confirmed dead. Officials say he had radioed in distress shortly before the crash, but it is unclear whether he had time to attempt an ejection or maneuver away from civilian structures.
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Mohammed Yunus, issued a heartfelt message of condolence via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), calling it “a moment of profound pain for the nation.”
“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. “We stand united in grief.”
Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the cause of the crash. The Bangladesh Air Force has grounded its remaining F-7BGI fleet pending the results of the inquiry. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that a joint civilian-military investigation team is being assembled to assess flight data, maintenance logs, and the circumstances leading to the tragedy.
A preliminary assessment suggests the jet may have experienced a critical mechanical failure mid-flight, although sabotage or human error have not been ruled out. The flight had taken off at 1:06 p.m. local time and lost contact with ground control shortly afterward.
Emergency responders from Dhaka’s fire and civil defense services worked for hours to extinguish the flames and extract victims from the rubble. Survivors, many suffering from burns, lacerations, and trauma, were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, nearby private clinics, and an Army-run facility.
Local officials and rescue workers have been praised for their rapid response, though many admitted they were overwhelmed by the scale of the devastation.
“We have never seen something like this before,” said a senior fire department officer at the scene. “It’s not just a crash it’s an emotional catastrophe for the entire city.”
The incident has sparked international concern, with condolences pouring in from neighboring countries and international aviation safety groups. The tragedy has also reignited debate over the safety of military flight operations in urban areas and the aging fleet of F-7 aircraft used in training by Bangladesh and several other nations.
Calls are mounting for a reassessment of safety protocols, especially regarding air traffic near civilian infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and residential areas.
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