Jet crash at Milestone School leaves 25 children, teacher, and pilot dead; authorities launch investigation as nation mourns the devastating loss
A devastating air crash in Dhaka’s Uttara area has claimed the lives of 31 people, including 25 children, after a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crashed into the Milestone School and College on July 21, 2025. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the updated death toll on July 22, following a full night of rescue and recovery operations. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Mohammad Towkir Islam Sagar, one teacher, and four civilians were also among the dead. This is now considered one of the worst aviation disasters involving civilians in the country’s history.
The FT-7 BGI jet took off from Kurmitola Air Base around 1:06 p.m. for a scheduled training exercise. However, minutes after takeoff, the aircraft reportedly developed a technical malfunction. Attempting to steer the jet away from residential zones, the pilot lost control, and the jet crashed directly into the two-story junior school building. Witnesses described a thunderous impact followed by fire and thick smoke, triggering panic throughout the area.
Dozens of students were trapped inside classrooms at the time of the crash. Emergency services, including the Bangladesh Army, Fire Service and Civil Defence, and paramedics responded quickly. Firefighters worked for hours to extinguish the blaze while cranes and rescue tools were used to pull injured children and staff from the debris. Hospitals across Dhaka were placed on high alert as ambulances carried the wounded to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and the Combined Military Hospital (CMH).
At least 165 people were injured in the incident, many of them children. Over 50 are being treated for critical burns and trauma. Due to the severity of the fire, many victims were burned beyond recognition, prompting authorities to begin DNA testing to confirm identities. Medical staff and volunteers set up emergency blood donation drives, and the Directorate General of Health Services announced free treatment for all affected.
The pilot, Flight Lt. Sagar, reportedly ejected from the aircraft moments before impact but sustained serious injuries and later died at CMH. The aircraft involved was a Chinese-built FT-7 BGI—used by the Bangladesh Air Force for combat training. While ISPR initially described it as a training aircraft, it later clarified that the jet was a combat-ready platform. In light of the crash, the Air Force has launched a high-level investigation to examine mechanical failure, pilot response, and procedural safety protocols.
Authorities declared July 22 a national day of mourning. Government offices lowered flags to half-mast, and prayers were held at religious institutions across the country. Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus visited victims at the hospital and assured their families of full government support, including compensation, grief counseling, and ongoing treatment. The Ministry of Education temporarily closed the Milestone School and initiated an inspection of schools located in proximity to military air routes.
The tragedy has sparked widespread public concern. Citizens, educators, and aviation experts are questioning why combat training flights were conducted over a densely populated area. There are growing calls for military aviation routes to be relocated away from schools and residential neighborhoods. The crash has also drawn international attention. India, Pakistan, China, and the United Nations extended condolences. The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka offered technical cooperation for the investigation and expressed grief over the incident, as the jet was of Chinese origin.
As investigations proceed, the Milestone School jet crash has become a moment of national reckoning. It has exposed the vulnerabilities of urban safety in relation to military aviation and raised serious questions about accountability. For the families of the victims, the loss is immeasurable, and for the country, it marks a sobering reminder of the consequences of operational failures in high-risk zones.
source : thedailystar
