Military Jet Crash in Bangladesh Kills 19

Written by: Keya Gambhir

A devastating tragedy struck Bangladesh on Monday, July 21, when a military jet crashed into a school campus in the capital city of Dhaka, killing at least 19 people and injuring over 100 more, according to local reports.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:06 p.m. local time, when a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training jet lost control and crashed near the gates of Milestone School and College. Classes were in session at the time, with several students, teachers, and staff members inside the building. The aircraft hit the front of a three-story school building, where classrooms for children from playgroup age through grade 5 were located, along with a school canteen.

According to The Business Standard (TBS), several students were killed in the crash, while at least eight other people were reported to be in critical condition. Over 100 others sustained injuries, some of them severe. Reports from BBC News confirmed the scale of the damage, with numerous students trapped inside the building following the impact. Thick black smoke, flames, and debris quickly engulfed the site.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror and confusion. The aircraft struck the area near the school's main gate, creating a fiery explosion and partial building collapse. Footage circulating on social media showed a mass of fire and smoke erupting from the crash site as rescue operations got underway. In one clip, firefighters could be seen spraying water onto the smoking engine of the downed jet, while military personnel combed through the wreckage searching for survivors.

The pilot of the aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Md Towkir Islam, managed to eject from the jet moments before the crash. He landed safely via parachute and was later taken to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for medical treatment. While his condition has not been publicly disclosed, military officials confirmed he survived the incident.

Students and teachers initially led rescue efforts before the arrival of formal emergency responders. According to TBS and India Today, army officers and school staff rushed into the damaged areas and carried injured students to safety. Ambulances were not immediately available, so many of the wounded were transported to hospitals in personal or military vehicles. The Bangladesh Army confirmed that fire crews brought the blaze under control by approximately 2:45 p.m., over an hour after the crash.

Milestone School and College issued a plea on Facebook shortly after the incident, requesting urgent blood donations for the injured. “Those interested in donating blood should come to these hospitals. There is a huge need for blood,” the school posted. They also urged members of the public to avoid crowding the crash site, as it was interfering with rescue efforts. Hospitals listed for donation included the Dhaka Medical Burn Unit and other nearby facilities.

One student, Naimul Hasan Adit, described the moment of impact. “The plane crashed into the primary school building, around 100-150 meters away from us,” he told TBS. “The pilot ejected from the plane with a parachute and got down while the primary school building caught fire.”

Local media reported that the collision left classrooms severely damaged, with multiple students trapped under debris. School officials and emergency services worked together to extract them from the rubble. The aircraft’s wreckage was strewn across the school grounds, with parts of the jet buried in the collapsed walls of the building.

Fire and emergency officials, along with members of the military and police, remained at the site for several hours, coordinating cleanup, rescue, and recovery operations. Many residents in the area watched in shock as smoke continued to rise from the campus, a painful reminder of the day’s events.

The F-7 BGI is a Chinese-built fighter aircraft based on the Soviet-era MiG-21 design and used by the Bangladesh Air Force primarily for training purposes. This is not the first time an F-7 has been involved in an accident in Bangladesh. In previous years, there have been several fatal crashes involving the aircraft, raising questions about its safety and reliability.

The Bangladesh Ministry of Defense has confirmed that a full investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. While no official reason has been given yet, experts speculate possible mechanical failure or a sudden loss of control during a routine training flight.

As the country mourns, flags have been lowered across government buildings, and a national moment of silence is expected to be observed. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and has promised government support for all those affected.

Milestone School and College, a private institution known for its large student population and modern facilities, will remain closed until further notice. Crisis counselors and medical teams are being deployed to assist survivors, especially the younger children who witnessed or experienced the tragedy firsthand.

This heartbreaking event has stunned the nation, sparking calls for greater safety oversight of military operations near civilian zones, especially schools. As investigators begin the search for answers, Bangladesh grieves for the lives lost in one of the worst air-related disasters in recent memory.