Military Training Aircraft Crash in Bangladesh (2025)

A Bangladeshi Air Force F-7 BGI trainer aircraft crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College in the Dakkhin Diabari area, north of the capital Dhaka, on 21 July 2025. The crash resulted in at least 27 deaths and 171 injuries, the majority of whom were students. A comprehensive investigation was launched following the incident, and relevant health and security units were mobilized.

Course of the Accident

The accident occurred at 13:18 local time (03:18 EST) on Monday, 21 July 2025. According to a statement by the Bangladesh Armed Forces, the BAF F-7 jet trainer lost control shortly after takeoff due to a technical malfunction. The pilot attempted to steer the aircraft toward a less densely populated area but was unable to prevent it from striking the school campus.

The aircraft directly impacted a two-story school building, triggering a massive explosion. A fire broke out in the building, causing significant structural damage. Eyewitnesses reported thick black smoke rising into the sky immediately after the impact, followed by flames engulfing the structure. Nine fire units and six ambulances were dispatched to the scene to combat the fire. During rescue operations, teams searched through the rubble and extracted injured individuals from beneath the debris.

Deaths and Injuries

Initial reports following the crash stated that 27 people had died. However, according to the latest statement issued by the Bangladesh Ministry of Health on 23 July 2025, the death toll had risen to 31. The majority of those killed were children in primary and middle school, including two teachers and one school staff member. The number of injured reached 175, at least 84 of whom were receiving treatment in various hospitals. A significant portion of the injured were reported to be suffering from third-degree burns, and some were intubated and receiving intensive care.

Many patients were transported to central facilities such as the Burn Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital and the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Among the hospitalized were students from grades 4, 6 and 12. Some hospital records noted that children’s skin had been severely burned, with portions of skin peeling off in affected areas. One student who was present at the school during the incident stated that upon exiting the building, he saw many of his friends lying on the ground burned.

Official Statements

Following the incident, Muhammad Yunus, Adviser to the Interim Government of Bangladesh, issued a message of condolence on social media and announced that an investigation had been launched to determine the causes of the crash. He also stated that all relevant institutions had been instructed to prioritize the treatment of the injured.

Yunus noted the establishment of an emergency helpline at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society also launched a public appeal for donations to assist the injured. The state news agency BSS reported that a national day of mourning had been declared across the country for one day, with special prayer programs held in mosques. Numerous countries, including the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India, sent condolences to Bangladesh.

Rescue and Response Operations

Immediately after the incident, fire and medical teams were dispatched to the area to extinguish the flames and evacuate the injured. Some of the injured were transported to hospitals by rickshaws or passing vehicles. A fire broke out at the crash site, causing structural damage to the building. Eyewitnesses stated that the aircraft struck iron railings, creating a large hole in the building’s wall.

Student Protests and Public Response

Following the crash, a strong public reaction emerged across the country, with young people and families of students describing the incident as the result of negligence. On 22 July, hundreds of students gathered outside Milestone School and College to hold protest demonstrations, expressing anger toward the school administration and the government. Protesters displayed banners with messages such as “We want education, not a grave” and “Let planes not rain death from the sky.” During the demonstrations, some students could not hold back their tears and shouted the names of their deceased friends. The protests, which proceeded without police intervention, ended peacefully, but generated widespread national attention on social media under the hashtag #JusticeForMilestone.

Witness Testimonies

Many students and teachers present at the school during the crash shared detailed accounts of the incident with the media. Rahi Ahmed, an 11th grade student speaking to CNN, described what happened: “Suddenly a large shadow fell over the school, then the windows shattered and fire broke out.” Another student recounted how classmates screamed and tried to flee at the moment of the explosion, but some were trapped in the flames. A local shopkeeper described the moment the jet crashed: “It felt like an earthquake, everything shook, then black smoke covered the sky.” Nearby residents reported observing the aircraft descending in circles before impact and believed the pilot was attempting a controlled landing.

Government and International Responses

The interim government of Bangladesh announced the launch of a comprehensive technical and judicial investigation following the crash, stating that multi-faceted inquiries were underway to identify those responsible. Government officials indicated that coordination between military air traffic and civilian populated areas would be reassessed to prevent similar accidents. Meanwhile, numerous countries including India, Pakistan, Türkiye, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates sent condolences to Bangladesh; some offered medical supplies and equipment for treatment. The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society launched a special fundraising campaign for families affected by the crash and announced that psychological support would be provided to surviving students.