Dhaka jet crash at Milestone School leaves 27 dead, sparking nationwide grief and renewed focus on military aviation safety in Bangladesh.
tragic incident unfolded in Dhaka on July 21, 2025, when a Bangladesh Air Force FT-7 BGI training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in the Uttara-Diabari area, claiming the lives of 27 people. The jet had taken off from the Kurmitola Air Base at 1:06 p.m. and reportedly experienced a mechanical malfunction shortly after departure. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Toukir Islam, attempted to divert the aircraft away from residential zones, but despite efforts, the jet collided with a two-story section of the school that housed elementary-level students. The crash triggered an explosion and a massive fire that engulfed the structure. Rescue operations were launched immediately, involving the Bangladesh Army, Fire Service, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and medical teams. The crash claimed the lives of 25 children, one female teacher, and the pilot himself. Many of the victims were under the age of 12, and the force of the impact along with the fire left several bodies burned beyond recognition, necessitating DNA testing to confirm identities.
At least 171 people sustained injuries in the disaster, with more than 88 admitted in critical condition to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery and other medical facilities in Dhaka. The conditions of many of the wounded were so serious that the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) ordered free treatment for all victims and cautioned the public to avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals to prevent infection risks. The National Burn Institute became the center of operations, with medical professionals working around the clock and volunteers setting up emergency blood donation drives to support the injured. Witnesses described scenes of horror and confusion as parents rushed to the school following news of the crash, and fire and rescue workers struggled to control the blaze. School staff and emergency personnel helped evacuate those who survived, while firemen used cranes to retrieve bodies from the wreckage. Many families waited anxiously at hospitals and morgues, with grief-stricken relatives crowding outside the gates for news of loved ones.
Flight Lieutenant Toukir Islam, the pilot, had been on his first solo training mission in the FT-7 BGI, a Chinese-manufactured jet that entered Bangladesh Air Force service in 2013. Military sources confirmed that he reported technical difficulties and attempted an emergency return to base. There is evidence suggesting he made last-minute maneuvers to avoid densely populated areas, sacrificing his own safety in the process. He was retrieved alive from the crash site but succumbed to injuries later at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka. The Bangladesh military and the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) division have confirmed the launch of a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Officials are reviewing both the technical history of the aircraft and the decisions made during the flight. The FT-7 series has previously raised concerns due to its aging design, although no prior crash involving civilian casualties had occurred at this scale. Authorities have stated that all relevant maintenance logs and flight data will be reviewed by an expert committee.
The incident has drawn national and international attention, with outpourings of grief and solidarity from across the globe. The interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus declared a national day of mourning on July 22, ordering all flags to be flown at half-mast and organizing nationwide prayers for the victims. Leaders from neighboring countries, including India and Pakistan, and representatives from the UN and the UK, offered condolences. The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka expressed deep regret, offering to cooperate in the investigation. In response to the tragedy, the Bangladesh government has pledged to support the affected families and ensure accountability. Discussions have already begun regarding the safety of conducting flight training over densely populated urban areas, and civil society groups have called for immediate changes to aviation protocols. As the country grieves the senseless loss of so many young lives, the Milestone School jet crash stands as one of the deadliest peacetime aviation disasters in the nation’s history.
source: thedailystar
