Bangladesh Air Force F‑7 Jet Crashes into School Campus: 19 Dead, 60+ Critical
📅 Dhaka, July 21, 2025
A Bangladesh Air Force F‑7 BGI training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Uttara, Dhaka, at approximately 13:06 UTC+6, resulting in a devastating fire and structural damage The Straits Times+15Reuters+15The Daily Star+15YouTube.
⚠️ At Least 19 Students Dead
Authorities confirm the crash has claimed the lives of 19 students, primarily from primary and secondary classes ReutersThe Business Standard. Initial reports had varied between 16–19 casualties The Business Standard.
🔥 60+ in Critical Burn Condition
More than 60 victims, mostly students, are being treated in critical condition at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, with others admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital, and various medical centers across Uttara Reuters+11Daily Observer+11The Financial Express+11.
👨✈️ Pilot Initially Survived, Later Succumbed
The aircraft’s pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md Towkir (Islam) Sagar, initially survived and was taken to Combined Military Hospital (CMH). He later succumbed to injuries around 15:45 local time, raising the death toll to 20 The Daily Star+2Daily Observer+2The Business Standard+2.
🚒 Massive Rescue Operation
Fire services deployed eight to nine units, and Bangladeshi Army, Air Force personnel, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) units, and police joined the rescue. Firefighters extinguished the blaze by approximately 14:45 Daily Observer+2The Business Standard+2Dhaka Tribune+2.
📌 Impact on Milestone School Campus
The jet hit two buildings: one section of Milestone College and an adjacent primary school block. Visuals showed fire engulfing classrooms, thick black smoke, and collapsed infrastructure The Straits Times+15Reuters+15The Business Standard+15.
📝 National Mourning Declared
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus declared a one-day national mourning on Tuesday, with flags at half-mast across Bangladesh. He expressed “irreparable” losses and pledged a thorough investigation and victim support ReutersApa.azDaily Observer.
🚨 Hospitals Overwhelmed
Dr Nasir Uddin, director of the burn institute, reported receiving over 50 burn victims, with beds filled and new victims diverted to other wards Hindustan Times+5Dhaka Tribune+5The Financial Express+5. Additional injured are being treated at Crescent, Uttara Adhunik Medical College, and Kurmitola General Hospital en.wikipedia.org+5The Daily Star+5The Financial Express+5.
🔍 Investigation Underway
The Bangladesh Air Force’s ISPR confirmed the aircraft took off at 13:06 and crashed shortly after. Authorities are investigating mechanical faults or pilot challenges as potential causes Sky News+5The Business Standard+5Dhaka Tribune+5.
👥 Eyewitness Accounts
Teacher Masud Tarik recalled hearing an explosion during school dismissal: “I looked back and only saw fire and smoke” mint+2Reuters+2ABC+2. Another teacher described carrying injured children and teachers from a burning building
