A Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a school campus in Dhaka on Monday, July 21, 2025, killing at least 27 people, including the pilot, and injuring 88 others, officials confirmed. The F-7 BGI aircraft, part of a routine training mission, experienced a mechanical failure shortly after taking off from Kurmitola airbase at 1:06 pm local time (0706 GMT). The jet struck Milestone School and College in the Uttara neighbourhood, causing a fire and significant damage to a two-storey building.
Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser on health, reported that 25 of the deceased were children, with many victims suffering severe burn injuries. The 88 injured, including numerous children, are receiving treatment in hospitals across Dhaka, with some in critical condition. Emergency services, including firefighters, military personnel, and Border Guard Bangladesh, responded swiftly, with helicopters and ambulances transporting victims to medical facilities, notably the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Mohammed Toukir Islam, attempted to steer the jet away from densely populated areas, the military said. Despite his efforts, the aircraft crashed into the school, which serves around 2,000 students from elementary to high school grades. Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with thick smoke and flames rising from the wreckage as desperate relatives searched for loved ones.
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, expressed deep sorrow, calling the incident an “irreparable loss” and a “moment of deep national grief.” The government declared a national day of mourning on Tuesday, July 22, with flags at half-mast and special prayers held at places of worship. A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the cause of the crash.
The F-7 BGI, a Chinese-made fighter jet based on the Soviet MiG-21 design, is the most advanced variant in the Chengdu J-7/F-7 family. Bangladesh acquired 16 of these jets in 2013. This incident, the deadliest aviation disaster in Dhaka in recent memory, follows a similar crash in Ahmedabad, India, last month, where an Air India plane killed 260 people.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences and pledged support, stating, “India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh.” Rescue operations have largely concluded, but the focus remains on treating the injured and identifying victims, with DNA testing planned for unidentifiable remains.