Tragedy Strikes Dhaka: BAF Training Jet Crashes into School, 19 Killed

July 23, 2025 by
Tragedy Strikes Dhaka: BAF Training Jet Crashes into School, 19 Killed
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Tragedy Strikes Dhaka: BAF Training Jet Crashes into School, 19 Killed

DHAKA, BANGLADESH – A catastrophic incident unfolded in the heart of Dhaka, Monday, July 21, 2025, as a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) training fighter jet crashed directly into a school and college campus, resulting in a significant loss of life and widespread devastation. The event has plunged the nation into profound grief, with the government declaring a National Day of Mourning for Tuesday.

I. Incident Details

  • Date & Time: Monday, July 21, 2025, around 1:06 PM local time (07:06 GMT). Some reports state the crash occurred around 1:18 PM.
  • Aircraft Type: A Chinese-made F-7 BGI training fighter jet. This model is commonly used by the Bangladesh Air Force for training missions.
  • Operator: Bangladesh Air Force (BAF).
  • Mission: The jet was on a routine training mission, having taken off from BAF Base Bir Uttom A. K. Khandker in Kurmitola. Reports suggest it was attempting to land when the crash occurred.
  • Crash Site: The Milestone School and College campus in the densely populated Diabari area of Uttara, Dhaka. The aircraft specifically struck the main gate of the Milestone College Hyder Ali Building and then impacted an adjacent three-storey school building, which housed junior sections (Nursery to Class III students).

II. Sequence of Events

  1. Take-off: The F-7 BGI jet departed from BAF Base Bir Uttom A. K. Khandker at approximately 1:06 PM.
  2. Pilot's Struggle: According to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Mohammed Toukir Islam, was on his first solo mission following a dual flight earlier in the day. The aircraft reportedly experienced a mechanical fault shortly after takeoff, becoming unresponsive and stalling. The ISPR stated that the pilot made every effort to steer the aircraft away from the densely populated area towards a less populated one to minimize damage.
  3. Impact: Despite the pilot's apparent efforts, the jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus. It hit the main gate, entered the ground floor of a building through one side, and exited through the other, creating a gaping hole.
  4. Fire & Smoke: Upon impact, the aircraft immediately burst into flames, sending thick plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky, visible from a considerable distance.
  5. Immediate Aftermath: The crash occurred while students were present on campus, attending classes and taking tests in the affected building. The scene quickly descended into chaos and panic, with eyewitnesses describing screams, crying, and desperate attempts to rescue the injured.

III. Casualties and Human Impact

  • Fatalities:
    • Confirmed Death Toll: At least 19 people have been confirmed killed. This includes the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Mohammed Toukir Islam, who initially survived the crash with a pulse but later succumbed to his injuries at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka.
    • Victim Demographics: The deceased include students (at least one third-grade student confirmed dead, with reports of up to 16 students), teachers (at least 2), and other individuals, likely school staff or passersby. One body was reportedly burned beyond recognition.
  • Injuries:
    • Total Injured: Over 164 people sustained injuries.
    • Hospitalizations: More than 50 people, including children and adults, were hospitalized, many with severe burn injuries. They were admitted to facilities like the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (NIBPS) and Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).
    • Condition of Injured: Officials from NIBPS reported that many injured were students, with some in critical condition.
  • Emotional Toll: Relatives rushed to the scene in a state of panic, desperately searching for their children. Teachers described chaotic scenes, and social media videos showed widespread distress among the public.

IV. Rescue and Emergency Response

  • Immediate Mobilization: Emergency services, including multiple units of the Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD), military personnel (Army, Air Force), Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) platoons, quickly arrived at the crash site.
  • Rescue Operations: Rescuers worked tirelessly to extinguish the blaze and extricate the injured from the damaged building. Injured students and others were carried to local hospitals using rickshaws, vans, and ambulances. Air Force helicopters were also used for rapid transport of critical patients to CMH.
  • Hotlines: An emergency hotline has been activated at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (01949-043697) to assist affected families.
  • Transportation: One coach of the metro train departing from Uttara was reserved to transport the injured from Milestone College.

V. Investigation and Government Response

  • Investigation Launched: The exact cause of the crash is not yet clear, but authorities have immediately launched a high-level investigation committee formed by the Air Force to determine the precise circumstances that led to the accident. The ISPR initially indicated a "mechanical fault" but stressed that full details would emerge after the investigation.
  • Interim Government's Statement: Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser (head) of Bangladesh's interim government, expressed deep sorrow over the "heartbreaking accident." He extended condolences to the bereaved families and pledged that "necessary measures" would be taken to investigate the cause and "ensure all kinds of assistance" to the victims.
  • National Mourning: A one-day state of national mourning has been declared for Tuesday, July 22, 2025, as a mark of respect for the victims.
  • Assistance Pledged: The government has affirmed its commitment to supporting the victims, including providing medical attention to the injured. The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has also called for donations to assist those affected.

This incident represents one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Dhaka's recent history, underscoring the inherent risks associated with military training operations, particularly in densely populated urban areas. The full impact and lessons learned from this tragedy will only become clear as the official investigation proceeds.

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