Summary:
- A Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Dhaka on July 21, 2025, killing at least 19 people and injuring over 100.
- The crash, involving a Chinese-made F-7 BGI jet, occurred shortly after takeoff due to technical difficulties; the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Farhan Rahman, died in the incident.
- Emergency services responded quickly but faced challenges evacuating victims due to congestion in the dense Uttara neighborhood.
- The school campus had over 1,000 students present; affected classrooms primarily served upper-grade students.
- Acting Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus expressed national grief and launched a full investigation into the crash.
- A national day of mourning was declared and mechanical failure is being considered as a cause pending investigation results.
A Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a school campus in Dhaka on the afternoon of July 21, 2025, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 100 others, according to multiple official and eyewitness accounts. The aircraft—a Chinese-made F-7 BGI—had just taken off from Dhaka’s Tejgaon air base when it began losing altitude and ultimately slammed into the Milestone School and College in the Uttara area of the capital.
The crash occurred around 1:06 p.m. local time, as students were returning from lunch. The plane reportedly struck the side of the building near the campus cafeteria where dozens of students were gathered. “There was a loud noise like thunder, and then the glass windows shattered,” said Akhtar Hossain, a teacher at the school who escaped with minor injuries. “Some of the children were lying on the floor—bleeding, screaming.”
Military and emergency personnel rushed to the site within minutes. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as first responders, staff, and residents tried to evacuate victims using rickshaws, motorbikes, and even on foot due to traffic-clogged roads around the dense Uttara neighborhood.
The Ministry of Defense confirmed that the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Farhan Rahman, was among the dead. According to initial military statements, the jet encountered “technical difficulties during a routine training sortie” and the pilot may have attempted to steer the aircraft away from surrounding residential areas in what is being described as a late-stage maneuver to minimize casualties.
More than 1,000 students were on campus at the time of the incident. School authorities said the crash-site was adjacent to classrooms primarily used by upper-grade students. “Our priority is the safety and accountability of our students and staff. We are working closely with authorities to ensure all affected receive necessary support,” said Principal Nusrat Jahan in an address broadcast later that evening.
Acting Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus expressed condolences and ordered a full investigation, describing the event as “a moment of deep national grief.” In a televised statement, he said, “The nation stands with the families of the dead and the wounded. Immediate steps will be taken to determine what led to this tragedy.”
Investigators from the Air Force and civil aviation authority have cordoned off the area and are examining flight data and eyewitness video captured by nearby security cameras. While no conclusive explanation has been provided, officials have not ruled out mechanical failure as a contributing factor.
Flags were lowered to half-mast across the capital following the announcement of a national day of mourning. Local hospitals, particularly the state-run Dhaka Medical College Hospital, reported dozens of admissions, with several children listed in critical condition.
The F-7 BGI, a dual-seat jet fighter originally designed for training missions, has been part of Bangladesh’s aging air fleet for years. The model has previously been involved in non-fatal training accidents in the country, leading to calls from some aviation experts for an overhaul of flight safety protocols and better maintenance frameworks.
For now, the Milestone School and College remains closed, cordoned off with yellow police tape and guarded by soldiers—with handwritten notes from parents and flowers lining the gates.
Background:
Here is how this event developed over time:
- July 21, 2025 – A Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training jet took off from the Bangabandhu Air Force Base in Dhaka.
- July 21, 2025 – At approximately 1:06 p.m. local time, the aircraft crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College in the Uttara area of Dhaka.
- July 21, 2025 – The jet struck the school near its cafeteria while students were attending classes; around 1,000 students were on campus at the time.
- July 21, 2025 – At least 19 people, including the pilot, were killed and more than 160 injured due to the crash and ensuing fire.
- July 21, 2025 – Emergency responders and bystanders used tricycle rickshaws and other improvised means to transport victims to hospitals amid intense heat and smoke.
- July 21, 2025 – The Bangladeshi military announced a high-level investigation to determine the cause of the accident, which remains unknown.