BREAKING: Bangladesh Air Force Jet Crashes into School, Lives Lost, 100+ Injured

On July 21, 2025, a catastrophic accident occurred in Dhaka, Bangladesh, when a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in the northern Uttara neighborhood during school hours. The incident has resulted in at least 19 deaths and over 100 injuries, marking one of the deadliest aviation-related accidents involving a military aircraft in the country’s recent history.

The aircraft involved was identified as a Chinese-made F-7 BGI training jet, a model commonly used by the Bangladesh Air Force for pilot training missions.

The jet took off shortly before 1:06 p.m. local time but crashed minutes later onto the grounds of the educational institution, with the plane hitting close to the school gates while students were attending classes.

Witnesses and video footage captured in the immediate aftermath show a large fireball and thick plumes of smoke rising from the crash site, as first responders and military personnel began evacuating injured students and staff while attempting to control the blaze.

The crash sent shockwaves across Dhaka, a densely populated city, where the presence of so many children increased the tragedy’s scale.

Firefighters and emergency medical teams rushed to the location and transported the critically injured to nearby hospitals.

These include the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, where about 20 people, including many children, were admitted with severe burn injuries and trauma-related conditions.

Hospitals in the area have been stretched to their limits responding to the surge of casualties, with over 100 injured people reported,

Many of the injured were suffering critical injuries from burns, blunt trauma, and smoke inhalation.

The Bangladesh Army’s public relations department issued a brief statement confirming the jet’s military affiliation and the accident’s location.

However, it did not immediately provide detailed information on the cause of the crash or the status of the pilot.

Initial reports were unclear whether the pilot managed to eject before the crash; authorities have launched an official investigation into the circumstances leading to the tragedy.

Fire official Lima Khanam confirmed casualties on-site, reporting at least one immediate fatality initially and several injuries.

However, later updates from various sources, including Reuters and Hindustan Times, confirmed that the death toll rose to 19 as some of the injured succumbed to their wounds.

The fatal victims consist primarily of students and staff present at the school during the crash, a fact that has deeply shaken the community and sparked nationwide grief.

Milestone School and College spokesperson described the crash as happening “near the school gates,” emphasizing that classes were in session, intensifying the calamity’s impact on young students and faculty who were caught off guard by the sudden disaster.

Videos from the scene show frantic rescue efforts, with military and fire officials working swiftly to douse the jet’s burning wreckage and evacuate survivors from the hazardous environment.

The Bangladesh Air Force operates the F-7 BGI, a variant of the Chinese Chengdu J-7 fighter jet used primarily for pilot training.

While an effective training platform, it is an aging aircraft model, raising concerns about mechanical failure or pilot error as potential causes.

However, no official conclusion has yet been released pending the ongoing investigation.

This tragic event underscores the risks associated with operating military training aircraft over densely populated areas, particularly near civilian infrastructure such as schools.

It has led to calls from citizens and safety advocates demanding thorough scrutiny of military flight regulations and improved protocols to prevent future disasters in urban environments.

The government of Bangladesh has expressed condolences to the families affected and promised an intensive investigation.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for urgent steps to ensure the accident’s causes are fully understood and to reinforce aviation safety measures.

The incident has also initiated discussions about reviewing the deployment of military aircraft training flights over urban zones in Dhaka and elsewhere across the country.

In the aftermath, psychological assistance and emergency relief have been mobilized for victims, especially the children traumatized by witnessing the crash and losing classmates.

Educational authorities are working to support the affected school community, offering counseling and temporary learning arrangements as the campus recovers from the devastation.

In summary, the July 21 crash of a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training jet on the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka has resulted in a harrowing loss of life and mass casualties.

With 19 confirmed dead and over 100 injured, the disaster highlights the inherent risks of military flight training in civilian-populated zones.

It also provokes urgent calls for review and reforms in aviation safety governance.

As investigations continue, the nation mourns the profound human cost of this tragic accident.

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