On July 21, 2025, at around 1:06 p.m. BST, a Bangladesh Air Force Chengdu F‑7 BGI training jet took off from BAF Base Bir Uttom A.K. Khandker in Kurmitola, Dhaka, on a routine solo training flight (Wikipedia).
Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft experienced a technical or mechanical malfunction and lost control (AP News).
Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam reportedly made valiant efforts to steer the jet away from densely populated areas, even attempting to reach a sparsely inhabited zone, before the aircraft plummeted into the front side of Milestone School and College in Uttara. The impact occurred just after classes had ended, amid heavy student presence (AP News).
Casualties & Rescue Efforts
The crash and ensuing inferno ripped through the sprawling two‑story school building, claiming the lives of at least 19–31 individuals (numbers vary across sources). These include the pilot, at least 25 children, and a teacher named Maherin Chowdhury, who tragically died after rescuing more than 20 students (AP News).
Official tallies as of July 22 report 31 fatalities (25 students, 1 teacher, 1 pilot, plus others), with more than 170 injured—over 78 critical cases (AP News).
Emergency teams arrived swiftly: the first fire unit reached within four minutes at 1:22 p.m., followed by backup units and ambulances (New Age, Wikipedia, BSS). Many injured were airlifted or brought to hospitals in helicopters, ambulances, rickshaws—and even in parents’ arms (AP News).
The National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery was swamped with cases, receiving dozens of critical burn victims (Prothomalo). Scores of panicked parents raced between hospitals, desperate for their children (New Age, Omni).
Pilot & Heroism
Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam was one of the victims. Although some reports suggest he ejected before the crash and succumbed later in hospital, official details remain unclear (Wikipedia).
His efforts to steer the aircraft away from residential zones are credited with reducing the severity of the disaster on the ground (BSS).
Teacher Maherin Chowdhury died a hero, saving numerous students as flames engulfed the building (AP News).
Official & Public Response
The Inter‑Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) confirmed the mechanical fault and vowed a high-level investigation (BSS).
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus declared July 22 a national day of mourning, issued flags at half‑mast, and pledged urgent inquiry and compensation for victims’ families (AP News).
Widespread protests erupted as students demanded transparency, accountability, compensation, and a ban on outdated trainer jets (AP News).
International condolences poured in from India, Pakistan, China, and others, many extending support to Bangladesh amid the crisis (Wikipedia).
Ongoing Investigation & Broader Context
A high‑level Air Force investigative committee was swiftly formed, reviewing maintenance logs, pilot communications, flight data, and structural integrity of the jet (BSS).
The F‑7 BGI is the most advanced trainer in Bangladesh’s fleet, in service since 2013—with the latest upgrade arriving in 2022 (Wikipedia). Questions are now being raised about the safety protocols of this aging aircraft.
This tragedy echoes a similar incident in 2008, where another F‑7 trainer crashed near Dhaka after malfunction, underscoring systemic challenges (AP News).
Human Toll & Aftermath
Heart‑wrenching scenes have emerged: children’s screams, burning classrooms, distraught parents, and hospitals unable to house the flood of victims (People.com, New Age, Prothomalo).
Teachers have criticized emergency delays, and students report chaos in rescue operations (People.com, daily-sun).
A blood drive was organized, and flags across the nation remain at half‑mast (AP News, Prothomalo).
Summary
The July 2025 crash of a Bangladesh Air Force F‑7 BGI training jet into Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka, was relentless in its impact—claiming the lives of students, a teacher, and the pilot, while injuring many more. Initial findings suggest a mechanical failure, followed by a heroic attempt from the pilot to mitigate damage. The crash has ignited national grief, protests, and urgent calls for aviation safety reforms. An official probe is underway to clarify the root cause and prevent future tragedies.
