On July 21, 2025, a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) F-7BGI training jet crashed into a two‑story building at Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara districtreuters.comtbsnews.net. The accident occurred around 1:06–1:10 PM local time shortly after takeoff from BAF Base Bir Uttom A. Khandker in Kurmitola. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the jet suddenly plummet and burst into flames near the primary school section of the campus. Rescue teams rushed in, but the tragedy left dozens of students and staff injured and at least 19 people dead, including the pilotreuters.comtbsnews.net. The following sections detail the incident timeline, causes, casualties, official response, conspiracy rumors, and public reaction surrounding this Bangladesh school jet crash.
Incident Timeline – What Happened and When
- July 21, 2025, ~1:06 PM: The Chinese-made F-7BGI jet, on a routine training mission, took off from Kurmitola Air Base in Dhakareuters.com.
- 1:10–1:15 PM: Minutes after takeoff, the jet experienced problems. Military sources and video evidence confirm the aircraft suddenly malfunctioned and began descending uncontrollablyreuters.comtbsnews.net.
- 1:10–1:15 PM: The jet crashed into Milestone School and College’s campus in Diabari, Uttara, Dhakareuters.comtbsnews.net. It hit a two-story building housing young students (playgroup through grade 8) and ignited a large fire.
- 1:22 PM: Firefighters arrived on scene within minutes (around 1:22 PM) to douse flames, while military and civil emergency crews began rescue operationstbsnews.net.
- Afternoon, July 21: Over the next several hours, dozens of burn and trauma victims were transported to nearby hospitals (including CMH, Dhaka Medical College, and the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute)tbsnews.net.
- Evening, July 21: Authorities set up emergency centers at hospitals. The confirmed death toll rose as more victims succumbed; by nightfall, 19 deaths were confirmed (17 children and the pilot)tbsnews.nettbsnews.net.
- July 22, 2025: The Bangladeshi government declared a one-day national mourning, and flags flew at half-mastapnews.comtbsnews.net. Leaders vowed swift investigation and support for victims.
Cause of the Crash – Technical Failure, Human Error, or Other?
Preliminary investigations by the Bangladesh military attribute the crash to a technical malfunction, not any hostile action. The BAF’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) office stated the jet encountered a mechanical failure immediately after takeofftbsnews.netreuters.com. ISPR noted the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md Towkir Islam, tried to steer the failing aircraft away from densely populated areastbsnews.net. Despite his efforts, the plane crashed into the Milestone School building in an unexpected accidenttbsnews.net. Both Reuters and the Business Standard quoted military spokesmen emphasizing the malfunction: “the F-7 BGI jet… encountered a mechanical failure,” and a committee will formally investigate the causereuters.comtbsnews.net.
No evidence has emerged of human sabotage or an intentional act. In fact, officials highlighted the pilot’s heroic maneuver to avoid a larger tragedy. While some unverified social media posts have speculated about a planned attack, ISPR and independent reporting have debunked such rumors (see Fact-Checking below). In summary, all credible sources point to an accident caused by a sudden technical fault, pending the outcome of the full investigationtbsnews.netreuters.com.
Casualties – Victims and Injuries
The crash had a devastating human toll. Initial reports varied, but most sources agree on roughly 19–20 fatalities and over 160 injured. According to Reuters, “At least 19 people were killed and 164 injured” in the crashreuters.com. The Business Standard cited 171 people hospitalized with serious burns or injuriestbsnews.net. Of the confirmed dead, all 17 were schoolchildrentbsnews.net; Flight Lt. Towkir, the pilot, later died from his injuries as welltbsnews.net. (Some reports mentioned 20 total casualties, possibly including a school staff member or correction of counts).
Among the injured, many were young students on campus for afternoon classes. Thus,Over 100 children suffered burn injuries, with at least eight in critical conditiontbsnews.nettbsnews.net. Emergency units transported victims to multiple hospitals: Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka Medical College, and several local hospitals (70 at the National Burn Institute, 17 at CMH, etc.)tbsnews.net. Firefighters reported recovering 19 bodies at the scene by eveningtbsnews.net.
In sum, the crash killed nearly 20 people—mostly children— and wounded well over a hundred. The casualty figures underscore the tragedy: a school campus meant for education became the site of a fatal aviation accident. Hospitals remain full of burn and trauma patients, and relief efforts continue as authorities confirm victims’ identitiestbsnews.nettbsnews.net.
Conspiracy Theories and Controversies
Almost immediately after the crash, social media and Facebook posts speculated wildly about the cause. Some voices claimed the accident was “pre-planned” or involved foul play by unknown parties. Rumors and viral “analysis” charts circulated online, suggesting secret motives behind the crash. This is controversial because it has no official support and preys on people’s emotions.
However, none of these claims have credible backing. The ISPR and military sources uniformly described the crash as a mechanical failure and an “unexpected accident”tbsnews.nettbsnews.net. No government or independent body has reported any sign of sabotage or deliberate harm. In fact, investigations have just begun. For now, any notion that the Milestone school jet crash was “planned” is a baseless conspiracy theory.
Fact-checkers have cautioned the public: for example, Dhaka Stream found that a widely-shared video purported to show this crash was not related at all, but from a 2024 accident in Chattogramdhakastream.net. The spread of unverified clips and sensational posts has only fueled confusion. In reality, official statements and reliable journalism make no mention of a planned attack. As discussed below, rigorous fact-checks debunk these rumors. The focus remains on a genuine aviation accident and its victims, not unproven conspiracies.
Official Investigation and Statements
The Bangladesh Air Force and government have pledged a thorough investigation. Soon after the crash, ISPR announced that a “high-level investigation committee” would determine exactly what went wrongtbsnews.net. Military officials emphasized they are examining the jet’s last flight data and maintenance records to pinpoint the malfunctiontbsnews.netreuters.com.
ISPR also released the pilot’s name and status: Flight Lieutenant Md Towkir Islam managed to eject and parachute down, but he later died of severe injuriestbsnews.net. The Armed Forces Division and senior leaders (Army Chief, Air Staff, etc.) were said to be monitoring the response. Bangladesh’s interim government advisor (deputy prime minister) expressed deep sorrow and vowed accountabilityapnews.com.
The day after the crash, the Bangladesh government declared Wednesday, July 22, 2025, a one-day national mourningtbsnews.netapnews.com. Flags flew at half-mast, and special prayers were offered in mosques, temples, churches, and pagodas for the victimstbsnews.net. Emergency service centers were set up at major burn and trauma hospitals to coordinate care.
As of now, the official stance is clear: this was an accidental crash caused by technical failuretbsnews.netreuters.com, and the nation awaits the findings of the Air Force committee. No final report has been released, but authorities have promised transparency and support to the victims’ families.
Public Reaction and Mourning
The Dhaka community and Bangladesh as a whole responded with shock and grief. Parents and students in Uttara witnessed a horror, running from classrooms as a deafening crash echoed through the campustbsnews.nettbsnews.net. Many survivors and onlookers described a “gory” scene of burning bodies and broken uniformstbsnews.net. Emotionally distraught families gathered at hospital burn units, and crowds chanted prayers outside the wreckage.
Political leaders across the spectrum condemned the tragedy. BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman wrote on Facebook that “no student should face such horror” at schoolthedailystar.net. Leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami and other parties offered condolences and urged people to help rescue workersthedailystar.netthedailystar.net. One opposition leader, BNP’s Mirza Fakhrul, specifically asked citizens not to crowd the crash site so that ambulances could reach victimsthedailystar.net. NCP leader Ariful Islam Adib noted this happened during classes and appealed for officials to reconsider flying training jets over populated areas in the futurethedailystar.net.
Nationwide, Bangladeshis observed a day of mourning as announced. Schools and government offices held silent prayers on July 22tbsnews.netapnews.com. Neighbors, friends, and strangers offered blood donations and financial aid at hospitals. In social media, #MilestoneCrash and #DhakaPrays trended as people expressed sorrow. International figures also responded: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that India stands in solidarity and is ready to helpapnews.com. UNICEF and UNICEF Bangladesh offered grief counseling for children.
Overall, the tone was one of collective grief and sympathy. The crash revived memories of past tragedies, like the 2008 MiG-21 crash, prompting calls for higher safety standards. Yet even amid the sadness, many Bangladeshi citizens rallied to support the victims – showing solidarity across political and social lines.
Fact-Checking: Planned Attack Claims
Numerous online claims have suggested the crash was “intentional” or part of a conspiracy. We have found no credible evidence to back those assertions. On the contrary, multiple reliable sources confirm the official account of an accident:
- Official statements: The ISPR clearly labeled the event an “unexpected accident” caused by technical failuretbsnews.nettbsnews.net. At a press briefing, a government adviser said the pilot did everything he could to minimize damagetbsnews.net. Such language strongly implies there was no foul play.
- Media investigations: Reuters and AP News, which interviewed officials and eyewitnesses, reported the plane “experienced a technical problem shortly after take-off” and that the pilot “made a valiant attempt to divert the aircraft”reuters.comapnews.com. These accounts mention nothing about sabotage or enemies, but confirm equipment failure.
- Debunked videos: A viral video on social media purported to show the Milestone crash. However, Dhaka Stream’s fact-check team traced that footage to a completely different crash in May 2024 in Chattogramdhakastream.net. This means people were mis-attributing old crash footage to this incident. Such misinfo can wrongly fuel belief in conspiracies.
- Lack of evidence: No government, police, or intelligence agency report has indicated any deliberate action. A high-level committee of the Air Force is looking into engine and systems data. If it were sabotage, there would likely be immediate arrests or forensic clues. So far, that has not happened.
In summary, every authoritative source points to an accident due to mechanical failuretbsnews.netreuters.com. Claims of a “planned attack” remain unfounded. Experts advise the public to rely on official updates and quality journalism, and to treat sensational social media posts with skepticism.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What caused the fighter jet to crash in Bangladesh?
A: According to the Bangladesh Air Force, the jet suffered a technical malfunction shortly after takeofftbsnews.netreuters.com. Military spokespeople say mechanical failure forced the aircraft down. No definitive cause has been released yet pending investigation, but all available evidence indicates it was an unintended accident rather than human error or attack.
Q: Was the fighter jet crash at the Milestone School planned?
A: No evidence suggests this was deliberate. Official reports describe the incident as an accident caused by engine failuretbsnews.netreuters.com. Rumors about a “planned attack” have been debunked by fact-checkers, who found viral videos claiming the crash were unrelated old footagedhakastream.net. The ISPR specifically called it an “unexpected accident”tbsnews.net. In short, credible sources confirm it was not a planned incident.
Q: How many people were killed in the Bangladesh fighter jet crash?
A: Reports indicate at least 19–20 people died in the crash. This includes the pilot and predominantly schoolchildren. Reuters and AP both reported “at least 19” fatalitiesreuters.comapnews.com. Bangladesh’s media later noted all 17 confirmed victims were childrentbsnews.net; the pilot died later of injuriestbsnews.net. Several injured people (well over 100) remain hospitalized with burns and traumareuters.comtbsnews.net.
Q: What did the government say about the jet crash?
A: The government expressed deep sorrow and promised a full investigation. Officials said the crash was accidental due to technical failuretbsnews.net. Prime Minister’s aides and defense chiefs visited the site, and a high-level Air Force committee was formed to examine the causetbsnews.net. The government declared July 22, 2025 a day of national mourningtbsnews.netapnews.com. Citizens were urged to offer prayers for the victims and not to spread rumors.
Q: Which school was hit by the fighter jet?
A: The aircraft crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College in Diabari, Uttara, Dhakaapnews.comreuters.com. This is a private institution with classes from elementary through 12th grade. The jet struck a building that housed young students (playgroup through grade 8), causing significant damage to the structure and roof.
Q: Has any footage or CCTV of the crash gone viral?
A: Some videos of the aftermath circulated online, showing the burning wreckage and rescue efforts. However, no official cockpit or CCTV footage has been released. Notably, fact-checkers found that a widely-shared video claiming to show the crash was actually from a different 2024 incidentdhakastream.net. Viewers should be cautious: authentic footage will only come from verified news agencies or official sources.
Q: What type of jet crashed in Dhaka?
A: It was a Chengdu F-7BGI training aircraft, China’s version of the Soviet MiG-21reuters.com. The F-7BGI is used by the Bangladesh Air Force for pilot training missions. This particular plane had been delivered by 2013 and was part of the BAF’s training fleetreuters.com.
Q: What happened to the pilot?
A: Flight Lieutenant Md Towkir Islam was the jet’s pilot. He ejected before the crash and parachuted to the groundtbsnews.net, but suffered serious injuries. He was taken to Combined Military Hospital and, sadly, died later that day from his woundstbsnews.net. His efforts in steering the plane away from denser neighborhoods were publicly noted as courageous.
Q: What support is being provided to victims and families?
A: The government and BAF are providing medical care and financial assistance. Injured are being treated free at military and civilian hospitals, and funds have been set up for victims’ families. Emergency blood donation drives were organized. The one-day mourning and nationwide prayers reflect the state’s solidarity. Many communities and NGOs are also donating supplies and money to help burn victims and bereaved families.
Conclusion and Call to Action
This tragic Bangladesh fighter jet crash at Milestone College has deeply affected the nation. A preliminary timeline and official reports make it clear the crash resulted from an unexpected technical failuretbsnews.netreuters.com. The loss of so many young lives is heartbreaking, and the focus now is on supporting survivors and preventing future accidents. As investigations continue, we will update with any new findings on cause or safety recommendations.
Stay informed and share responsibly: We encourage readers to follow updates from credible news outlets and official sources. Avoid spreading unverified rumors or panic on social media. You can show support by contributing to relief funds for the victims’ families (as arranged by local charities and hospital foundations).
Internal Links for Further Reading (on our site): For related coverage, consider linking to our pages on Bangladesh aviation safety, military aircraft incidents, and Uttara campus news. For example:
- Bangladesh Air Force training incidents
- Aviation safety measures in Dhaka
- Previous Dhaka air crash incidents
If you found this article helpful, please share it with others and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on this story and more news. Our thoughts remain with the victims of the Milestone College tragedy and all affected by this devastating event.
Citations
At least 19 killed, scores injured as Bangladesh air force jet crashes into college campus | Reuters
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Major News Coverage & Reactions
A tragic accident on July 21, 2025, claimed at least 19–20 lives and left over 170 injured when a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a college campus in Dhaka.
Breaking News & Main Coverage
- Reuters:
🔗 At least 19 killed, scores injured as Bangladesh Air Force jet crashes into college campus - The Business Standard:
🔗 BAF jet crash at Milestone School: At least 20 dead including children, pilot; 171 hospitalised - AP News:
🔗 What to know about the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash into a Dhaka school
Cause & Investigation
- ISPR via The Business Standard:
🔗 Air Force training jet crashed due to technical malfunction, confirms ISPR - Fact Check – Dhaka Stream:
🔗 Viral video NOT from Milestone College crash, confirms fact-check
Aftermath & Reactions
- The Business Standard:
🔗 Bangladesh declares one-day state mourning following air force crash - The Daily Star:
🔗 Political leaders mourn air force jet crash at Uttara College
