Bangladesh Air Force Jet Crash in Dhaka Kills 27, Including Students: What We Know
By: Javid Amin | 22 July 2025
Dhaka Jet Crash: A Routine Training Mission Turns Into a National Tragedy
In a heartbreaking incident that has stunned Bangladesh and sent ripples across the globe, a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI fighter jet crashed into a school campus in Uttara, Dhaka, on July 21, 2025, killing 27 people, including the pilot and several students.
The tragedy unfolded just minutes after takeoff, during what was supposed to be a routine training sortie.
Timeline of the Crash: What Happened?
1:06 PM – Takeoff
The F-7 BGI fighter jet took off from Kurmitola Air Base, part of a scheduled training exercise. The aircraft, part of Bangladesh’s aging fleet of Chinese-made jets, had been in service since the early 2000s.
Mid-Air Emergency
Within minutes, Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam radioed in with signs of a mechanical failure—suspected to be engine failure or a systems malfunction.
Last-Minute Heroism
Eyewitnesses and air force officials confirm the pilot tried to divert the aircraft away from densely populated residential buildings.
He instead veered toward a less crowded section of Milestone School and College, which was still in session but relatively emptier due to the lunch break.
Impact
The aircraft crashed into a two-story building on the school campus, leading to:
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A massive explosion
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A fireball visible from miles away
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Structural collapse of parts of the school
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Windows shattered across the neighborhood
Human Toll: Lives Lost and Injuries Mounting
Casualties
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27 Confirmed Dead, including:
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Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam
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8 school students
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3 teachers
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15 support staff and bystanders
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Over 170 Injured
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Many are in critical condition at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
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Injuries include:
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Severe burns
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Crush injuries
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Trauma-related shock
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Smoke inhalation
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“We have children with 60% burns… the scenes were horrifying,”
— Dr. Nusrat Hossain, Emergency Medicine, Dhaka Medical College.
School Building Collapse: Safety Questions Emerge
The Milestone School and College, a private English-medium institution, suffered partial collapse, especially:
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The computer lab, which bore the brunt of the explosion
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Two classrooms where students were revising for midterm exams
The management has confirmed that CCTV and attendance records will assist in identifying victims.
Government Response: National Mourning and Investigation Ordered
Day of Mourning
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July 22 was declared a National Day of Mourning.
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Flags flown at half-mast across public and military institutions.
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Special prayers held in mosques, temples, and churches for the deceased.
High-Level Probe Initiated
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A Joint Inquiry Committee, involving:
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Bangladesh Air Force
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Civil Aviation Authority
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Ministry of Home Affairs
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Will investigate:
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Mechanical failure details
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Maintenance records of the F-7 jet
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Protocol followed by air traffic control
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Reasons why training sorties occur over populated areas
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Compensation & Support for Victims
Government Aid:
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Full medical coverage for the injured
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Educational support and psychological counseling for surviving students
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Financial compensation:
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BDT ₹10 lakh for families of the deceased
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₹2 lakh for the injured
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Local Aid Groups Step In:
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Red Crescent, BRAC, and other NGOs are providing:
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Temporary shelters for affected families
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Trauma support teams
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Grief counselors for parents and teachers
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Global Condolences & Support
World leaders and global organizations have extended their condolences:
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🇮🇳 Indian PM Narendra Modi:
“Deeply saddened by the tragic jet crash in Dhaka. India stands with the people of Bangladesh in this moment of grief.”
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🇺🇳 UNICEF:
“We are heartbroken at the loss of young lives. Urgent need for review of training zones in conflict-sensitive or urban education zones.”
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🇺🇸 US State Department:
“Offering assistance to Bangladesh for technical audits of its aviation infrastructure.”
About the Aircraft: F-7 BGI Fighter Jet
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Origin: Chinese-manufactured variant of the MiG-21
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Inducted in Bangladesh: Early 2000s
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Primary Use: Air defense training
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Known Issues:
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Engine overheating
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Limited avionics
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High maintenance demands
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Bangladesh has 18 F-7 jets in active service, many of which are nearing retirement age.
Aviation Safety Debate Reignited
This incident has rekindled a long-standing debate in Bangladesh about:
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The use of aging aircraft in densely populated urban training routes.
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Lack of emergency escape systems or ejection protocols in older jets.
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Absence of no-fly buffer zones near schools and hospitals.
Expert View:
“This is not just about an old jet. It’s about planning, protocol, and priorities,”
— Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) M. Rashid, former BAF Safety Head
What Needs to Change?
01. Immediate Grounding of Aging Jets
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Temporary suspension of all F-7 training missions
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Full mechanical audit of aircraft fleet
02. Urban Airspace Review
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Restrict training flights away from populated centers
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Introduce geo-fencing and AI-driven risk alerts
03. Enhanced Crash Protocols
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Mandatory ejection training
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Faster emergency response drills near military airbases
04. School Proximity Safeguards
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Schools near military zones must have:
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Emergency shelters
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Fire suppression systems
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Evacuation drills
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Eyewitness Account: “We Thought It Was an Earthquake”
“The whole building shook. We thought it was an earthquake. Then I saw flames. Children were running in all directions,”
— Afreen Sultana, a teacher who rescued three students
“He could’ve ejected—but he stayed to steer the plane. That man gave his life to save ours,”
— Local resident, breaking down in tears.
Final Word: Tragedy That Must Not Be Forgotten
The July 21 Dhaka jet crash is a national tragedy, but also a moment of reckoning. Bangladesh must now:
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Upgrade its military aviation protocols
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Reevaluate training zones
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And most critically, ensure that classrooms are never turned into crash zones.
This is a time for both mourning and meaningful reform.
