On July 21, 2025, a massive tragedy struck Dhaka. A Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI jet crashed into a school. In this crash, at least 27 people died, mostly children. Over 170 were injured. The world mourns due to this devastating crash. This crash, which happened in Uttara’s Milestone School and College, is one of the worst incidents in decades. Thick smoke and flames scarred the sky. Families were grieving as authorities started investigations.
The Crash That Shook Dhaka
The disaster happened at 1:18 PM in the afternoon. At this time, school is ongoing. Around 1:06 PM, a Chinese-made F-7 BGI jet took off from the airport. Within 10 minutes of the flight, it faced a mechanical failure. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Mohammed Toukir Islam, tried to change the direction of the plane. He aimed to crash the plane in a less populated area. In this, try jet crashed into Milestone School and College. The plane hit a two-story building. The crash resulted in a massive explosion. Thick black smoke rose in the sky. Videos on social media showed the fiery wreckage. The plane crashed in the classroom when students were inside. According to a Reuters report, noted death of 27 people, mostly children. The crash site has become a scene of chaos.
Victims and Heartbreaking Losses
The victims of this incident were mostly young students. The school was filled with students from nursery to 12th grade. At the time of the crash, classes were in session. Seventeen children died, per a BBC report. More than 170 students were injured, many with severe burns. Among the dead, there are students from the 3rd grade. Hospitals like Dhaka Medical College are treating victims. Forty-eight students were in critical condition. Families are searching for loved ones in that rubble. One father, Jewel, saw a child’s body in the rubble. His daughter survived, but the trauma of losing a child will last. According to a recent CNN article, some students saw their own friends charred. The world grieves these young lives.
Heroic Efforts of the Pilot
The late Flight Lieutenant Mohammed Toukir Islam should be considered a hero. He faced a technical glitch the moments after takeoff. The jet took off from Kurmitola Air Force Base. When he realised about the glitch, Islam tried to avoid densely populated areas. He showed courage in the crisis. He is being praised for his bravery. He moved the jet toward Milestone’s campus, a less crowded place than nearby zones. He didn’t eject from the jet. He stayed with the jet. He died in the crash. Initially found alive, he succumbed at the Combined Military Hospital. His sacrifice saved countless lives. Bangladesh and the world honour his courage.
Emergency Response and Rescue
Rescue efforts were started as quickly as possible, but they were chaotic. Firefighters arrived at the scene by 1:22 PM. Eight fire units were stopping the fire. Army, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh joined in to rescue as many people as possible. Helicopters airlifted the injured. Ambulances and rickshaws rushed the victims to nearby hospitals. Firefighters sprayed water on mangled wreckage. Students and teachers helped initially to rescue the students who got caught in it. Crowds gathered to help with access. A crane cleared debris. Over 60 students went to the burn units. The response showed the resilience of Bangladesh. But the scale of the crash overwhelmed helping teams.
National Mourning and Leadership Response
July 22 is declared a day of mourning by the Bangladesh government. Flags flew at half-mast all around the nation. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow about this incident. He called this an “irreparable loss” in his social media post. He promised a thorough investigation of this crash and declared help to the victim’s family. Identifiable bodies were returned quickly to their respective families. Some bodies needed DNA testing to identify. The national leaders urged hospitals to prioritise care. Twenty-five victims are critical so far. Prime Ministers of neighbouring countries like India and Pakistan sent condolences. The nation united in this sorrowful incident. Special prayers are being held across mosques.
Investigation and Safety Concerns
The crash raised many questions about safety and many more. The F-7 BGI is a Chinese variant of the MiG-21. Bangladesh bought 16 of these jets in 2013. A recent Wikipedia entry details its advanced radar. Still, the mechanical failure happened. A high-level probe was launched. A recent Bloomberg report questions the jet’s reliability. Another F-7 jet crash happened in Myanmar earlier this year. Experts are demanding stricter maintenance. The Uttara area is densely populated. Having an air base near schools sparks debate across the world.
Long-Term Implications for Bangladesh
This tragedy will leave long long-lasting scar on many people’s lives. Schools will start to rethink safety protocols. The school’s location needs to be safe. This is one of the biggest aviation disasters in Bangladesh’s history. Air force training near cities faces scrutiny. And need to think of relocation. Families of victims demand accountability for this incident. The Higher Secondary Exam was postponed across the nation. Cricketers like Shakib Al Hasan shared grief on social media. Economic impacts loom. Uttara’s local businesses paused because of this chaos. According to the CBC report calls it a national wound. Counselling services are needed to provide for survivors. Bangladesh need to balance military needs with civilian safety. The investigation’s findings will help make sharp reforms. The nation wants healing and answers.
Conclusion
The Dhaka plane crash that happened on the afternoon of July 21, 2025, stunned Bangladesh. A routine training flight ended in horror. Twenty-seven innocent lives were lost, mostly among the victims were the children. The pilot’s brave decision to divert the jet from a crowded area saved many lives. Rescue teams worked tirelessly to save children from rubble. The nation mourns. Nations across the world expressed grief about the incident. Investigations probe the F-7’s failure. The local community is devastated by the loss of so many young lives. Support from across the globe pours in for the victim families. This crash is Bangladesh’s darkest aviation moment since 1984. The lives of many families were changed by this crash. Healing from this will take time. But we can hope that victims’ families endure. The nation honours its lost and rebuilds with hope.
