On July 21, 2025, a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI fighter jet crashed into Milestone School & College in Uttara, Dhaka, during a routine training mission. The crash killed at least 20 people, including the pilot, students, and teachers, and injured over 100 others. The aircraft reportedly suffered a mechanical failure shortly after takeoff. The incident triggered a massive emergency response and has led to national mourning. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, raising concerns over the safety of aging military aircraft
Death Toll & Injuries
Between 19 and 20 deaths have been reported, including the pilot, around 16 students, and 2 teachers
Over 100 people injured—reports vary from 100 to as many as 171—many with critical burns and trauma; about 40+ children among them
Response & Significance
The Bangladesh government has declared July 22 a national day of mourning, with national flags at half-mast
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed profound grief and pledged a full investigation into the causes
This has been called one of the deadliest military aircraft accidents with civilian casualties in Bangladesh in decades—the last major air crash on Bangladeshi soil claimed 49 lives in 1984
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Aircraft Background & Safety Concerns
The F‑7 BGI is a Chinese-made trainer/fighter jet, delivered to Bangladesh around 2013, and about 13 years old at the time of the crash
The crash has renewed scrutiny about the reliability of Chinese military hardware in South Asia, amidst previous incidents involving similar aircraft types
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Human Impact & Ongoing Crisis
Around 2,000 students were present on campus when the jet struck classrooms and the school canteen during class or exam hours
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, fire, smoke, and mass panic. Some students and teachers reportedly rushed to help before official emergency services arrived
Emergency responders—firefighters, military, and medical teams—rushed to assist amid severe injuries and mounting devastation
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