On July 21, 2025, a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI fighter jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka’s Uttara area, killing at least 19 people — including 16 students, two teachers, and the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Mohammed Toukir Islam. More than 100 others, primarily students, were injured, with many suffering severe burns. Victims are currently being treated at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery and other nearby hospitals.
The aircraft had taken off from Tejgaon Air Base at 1:06 p.m. local time for a routine training mission when it lost control and struck the school’s canteen and a classroom mid-session. Eyewitness footage captured thick black smoke billowing from the campus as flames engulfed parts of the building. Firefighters, army personnel, and emergency responders rushed to the scene for rescue and containment efforts.
Rezaul Islam, a teacher at the school, described the moment of impact as sudden and catastrophic, with students screaming and parents flooding to the gates in panic. The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has issued an urgent call for blood donations to help treat the wounded.
In response, the government has declared a national day of mourning on July 22, with all flags flown at half-mast. Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, promising a full investigation into the cause and long-term support for the victims’ families. Aviation officials confirmed that the F-7 BGI involved was part of a training fleet, and that safety protocols will be re-evaluated in light of the incident.
The crash has sparked wider conversations around air safety across South Asia, especially following a recent aviation disaster in India. On social media, citizens mourned the loss of young lives and called for accountability, describing the day as one of the darkest in the city’s history.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 21st, 2025
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