Mohan Sinha
25 Jul 2025

DHAKA, Bangladesh: At least 27 people have been killed and over 170 injured after a Bangladesh Air Force jet crashed into the campus of a private school in Dhaka on July 21, in one of the capital's deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory.

The F-7 BGI aircraft, a Chinese-built fighter used for training purposes, went down shortly after taking off from the A.K. Khandaker Air Base in Dhaka's Kurmitola neighborhood at 1:06 p.m. The jet crashed into Milestone School and College in the Uttara area, igniting a fire and causing extensive damage to a two-story school building.

Officials confirmed the pilot was among the dead. Twenty deaths were initially reported, with seven more victims succumbing to their injuries overnight, according to a military spokesperson and local fire officials. Medical teams said that the condition of nearly two dozen victims remains critical.

Of the 171 injured, most were students who were attending afternoon classes at the time. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as emergency responders rushed to evacuate children and school staff. Many of the wounded were transported to a specialized burn hospital in Dhaka, where a blood donation camp has been set up to support ongoing treatment efforts.

Twenty bodies have so far been returned to families. Some of the victims were burned beyond recognition, and authorities may need to conduct DNA testing to confirm their identities.

According to an official military statement, the jet experienced a "technical malfunction" shortly after takeoff. The pilot reportedly attempted to steer the aircraft away from densely populated areas before it struck the school compound. An Air Force investigation team has been formed to determine the exact cause of the crash.

Milestone School and College, which serves approximately 2,000 students from elementary through 12th grade, is a leading private institution focused on academics, extracurricular activities, and global opportunities. The school has operated in Dhaka for more than two decades.

Rafiqa Taha, a student not present at the time, told the Associated Press that classes were underway across several grades when the crash occurred. Local media have reported that many of the injured were inside classrooms or on the school grounds when the jet came down.

The incident has shocked Dhaka, a city of more than 20 million residents. Interim national leader Muhammad Yunus expressed his condolences to the victims' families and promised a full investigation. "This is a heartbreaking tragedy," Yunus said, adding that every effort would be made to support survivors and determine accountability.

In response to the disaster, the government declared a national day of mourning the day after the crash. Flags flew at half-staff across the country in honor of the victims.

This crash is the deadliest involving a military aircraft in Dhaka in recent history. The last similar incident occurred in 2008 when another F-7 training jet crashed outside the capital, killing the pilot after he ejected due to a technical failure.

As investigators begin to comb through the wreckage and eyewitness accounts, questions remain about the maintenance, safety protocols, and aging aircraft used by the Bangladeshi Air Force for training missions. For now, the country mourns the loss of lives, many of them young students, in what has become a national tragedy.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X: "Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance."