A Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a Dhaka school, killing at least 19 and injuring over 160. Pilot’s valiant diversion, probe launched
🛫 Tragic Crash at Milestone School & College
A training jet belonging to the Bangladesh Air Force crashed into the Milestone School & College campus in Uttara, Dhaka, on July 21, shortly after departing at 1:06 pm local time. The aircraft, identified as a Chinese-made F-7 BGI, reportedly suffered a mechanical failure during a routine flight from the Kurmitola Air Force base The Sun+15Reuters+15CBS News+15.
💥 Death Toll & Injuries: Children Among Victims
- 19 confirmed fatalities, including the pilot and students Al Jazeera+15Reuters+15Wikipedia+15
- 164+ injured, mostly students, many with severe burns Al Jazeera+5The Washington Post+5The Sun+5
- A third-grade student was declared dead on arrival; three others (ages 12, 14, and an adult) wounded YouTube+7Reuters+7Al Jazeera+7
The F-7 BGI is the final, upgraded variant of China’s Chengdu J‑7 aircraft, delivered to Bangladesh in 2013 AP News+15Reuters+15Wikipedia+15.
👨✈️ Pilot’s Courageous Actions Amid Crisis
Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam — the jet’s lone occupant — is credited for trying to steer the failing aircraft away from densely populated areas. He reportedly attempted to divert the crash trajectory before ejecting. His heroic efforts, though praised, were unable to prevent impact on a school building ReutersWikipedia.
🔥 Harrowing Footage Captures Aftermath
On-site videos reveal:
- A massive fireball near school grounds
- Firefighters battling intense blaze
- Shock and panic among staff, students, and local residents BILD+13Reuters+13The Sun+13
A teacher at the school described the chaos:
“I heard an explosion … when I looked, I saw fire and smoke.” People.com+5Reuters+5Al Jazeera+5
🚑 Emergency Response & Rescue Efforts
- Multiple hospitals, including Dhaka Medical College and the National Institute of Burn & Plastic Surgery, received the injured — many with critical burn injuries TIME+6Reuters+6Al Jazeera+6
- Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, announced an official probe and pledged full support for victims and their families The Sun+3Reuters+3AP News+3
- Fire crews and military first responders swiftly secured the scene; helicopters evacuated casualties Al JazeeraWikipedia
🇧🇩 National Mourning & Investigation Launched
The interim government declared a day of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast WikipediaAl Jazeera. A high-level Air Force committee is investigating the root cause, focusing on potential mechanical failure Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3Reuters+3.
🔎 Context & Historical Echoes
This incident is one of the deadliest Air Force-related aviation disasters in recent Bangladeshi history — the worst since a 1984 passenger jet crash in Dhaka that killed 49 Wikipedia+6Al Jazeera+6The Washington Post+6.
Just over a month ago, an Air India aircraft crashed in Ahmedabad, claiming 260 lives and reigniting concerns over aviation safety in South Asia Reuters.
🧭 Looking Ahead: Safety & Accountability
- Safety audit of F‑7 BGI fleet and other training jets
- Counseling programs for survivors and eyewitnesses
- Transparent information sharing from the Air Force’s investigation
- Improved diversion protocols to avoid populated zones during flight anomalies
📝 Summary of Key Facts
| Detail | Data |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | F‑7 BGI training jet |
| Departure Time | 1:06 pm local |
| Location | Milestone School & College, Uttara |
| Fatalities | 19 (incl. pilot & students) |
| Injured | 164+ (primarily students with burns) |
| Cause | Under investigation (possible mechanical failure) |
| Response | Probe launched, national mourning declared |
💡 Expert Insight
Training missions over urban areas carry inherent risks. The pilot’s decision to divert the aircraft likely reduced casualties — though the crash tragically hit students. A thorough post-crash audit is critical. The Air Force must balance training needs with enhanced airspace safety protocols, especially near schools.
