Bangladesh Air Force Training Jet Crash Leaves 16 Dead at School in Dhaka
In a deeply tragic incident that shook the nation on Monday, a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed directly into the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka’s Uttara neighborhood, killing at least 16 people. The crash occurred in a typically bustling residential area as students were engaged in their lessons, triggering waves of grief across the capital and beyond.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed his condolences shortly after the accident. “The loss suffered by the air force personnel, students, parents, teachers, staff of Milestone School and College, and others in this accident is irreparable. This is a moment of deep grief for the nation,” Yunus said in an official statement.
Timeline of Events
- 1:06 PM: The F-7 BGI jet took off from a nearby airbase for a routine training mission.
- Shortly after: The aircraft began experiencing unknown difficulties mid-air.
- Crash impact: The vertical dive ended in a crash into the Milestone School and College campus in Diabari, where hundreds of students were taking tests or attending class.
- Emergency response: First responders, fire crews, and military officials rushed to the scene to control the blaze and search for survivors.
Official Statements Shed Light on Severity
The Bangladesh Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) clarified that the jet was on a scheduled training sortie when the crash took place. The pilot’s status remains unclear, but rescue operations were hampered by fires that broke out after the impact. Several students and school staff were caught in the chaos, and among the 16 reported dead, a number were confirmed to be minors.
Muhammad Yunus, clearly shaken by the news, also informed the country that support operations were underway. “An emergency hotline has been activated at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery following the casualties caused by the crash… Hotline number: 01949043697,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Community Response: Grief and Shock
The Diabari neighborhood, normally filled with school-going children, shopkeepers, and daily commuters, found itself under clouds of smoke and disbelief. Parents rushed to the scene of the accident, reportedly bypassing police lines in a desperate search for their children. Many were seen sitting outside the cordoned area, sobbing quietly or staring blankly at the flaming wreckage.
“We heard a sound like thunder and then everything shook. A few seconds later, people were screaming and running,” said one witness, a shop owner located just 200 meters from the school campus.
Although fires were extinguished within thirty minutes by the Dhaka Fire Service, the emotional scars will linger far longer. Teachers at Milestone School and College are reportedly among the dead, and several others are in critical condition.
Questions About Air Safety Resurface
This isn’t the first time that safety protocols within the Bangladesh Air Force have come under scrutiny. Over the past decade, multiple training aircraft have crashed, though rarely in such heavily populated areas. The F-7 BGI, modeled on a Chinese variant of the MiG-21, has seen fewer flying hours in recent years due to age and maintenance issues.
People are asking: how could a training aircraft end up colliding with a school during lessons? Aviation analysts speculate that if engine failure occurred, the pilot may have had limited control. Still, exact reasons remain unknown pending a full inquiry.
Emergency Measures and Aftermath
The Ministry of Education has ordered the temporary closure of Milestone School and College while forensic and military investigators examine the site. Counsellors have been dispatched to begin sessions with grieving family members and shocked students.
Among the key steps taken so far:
- Activation of a burn unit hotline to provide immediate family assistance
- Deployment of military investigators to analyze crash data
- Plans to award emergency compensation to affected families
“We will find out what went wrong. But for now, we must support those mourning this terrible loss,” said a senior Air Force spokesperson during a late-night news briefing.
What’s Next for the Bangladesh Air Force?
The Air Force will likely ground its F-7 training aircraft fleet temporarily. While these jets have historically formed a backbone for flight training, the aging systems and previous incidents are pushing the institution to reconsider their continued use.
Meanwhile, parliament is expected to raise questions during next week’s session—specifically around air force oversights, the proximity of training bases to civilian zones, and school safety mechanisms.
For residents of Dhaka, particularly those in Uttara, the world just feels… slightly less predictable today. There’s sorrow and confusion in the air, and tangible concern for what might come next. You can’t help but think about how fragile these routines are—kids going to school, planes flying overhead—and how it can all fall apart in seconds.
How You Can Help
Local charities and emergency services are encouraging citizens to donate to medical funds. Blood donations are being collected at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Teachers and community volunteers are organizing assistance points for affected family members and coordinating trauma support for young survivors.
If you’re in Dhaka and looking to assist:
- Dial 01949043697 for emergency support or to report missing individuals
- Visit local hospitals to check the list of injured persons
- Offer temporary lodging or supplies through verified volunteer networks
A Nation in Mourning
For Bangladesh, Monday will be remembered not just as a day of loss, but as a wake-up call. An ordinary training drill turned into an extraordinary tragedy, something families and communities will carry with them. Perhaps there will be answers—perhaps they won’t come soon. What is clear today is the collective sorrow and the need for care, caution, and a search for accountability.
