Dhaka, July 21, 2025 – At least 19 people were killed when a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka’s Uttara area on Monday afternoon, authorities confirmed.
The crash, which occurred shortly after the aircraft took off at 13:06 local time (0706 GMT), also left over 50 people, including children and adults, injured with burn injuries. Several of the wounded were rushed to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery and Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
“A third-grade student was brought in dead. Three others, aged 12, 14, and 40, are undergoing treatment,” said Dr. Bidhan Sarker, head of the burn unit at Dhaka Medical College.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and devastation. “I was picking up my kids at the gate when I heard an explosion. I turned back and saw fire and smoke,” said Masud Tarik, a teacher at the school.
Dramatic footage from the site showed a massive fire near the lawn of the campus and thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky. The aircraft appeared to have slammed into the side of a building, tearing through iron grills and leaving a large gaping hole. Emergency responders, including firefighters and soldiers, battled the blaze and sifted through the wreckage.
In a statement, the military’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the crash of an F-7 BGI training jet and stated that an inquiry into the cause of the accident would be launched.
Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow and pledged full government support.
“The loss suffered by the Air Force, students, teachers, parents, and staff is immeasurable. Necessary steps will be taken to investigate the incident and extend all possible assistance,” he said.
The tragedy comes just weeks after a deadly Air India crash in Ahmedabad, India, where 241 of 242 onboard passengers and 19 people on the ground were killed, marking the deadliest aviation disaster in a decade.
