Bangladesh crash: The death toll of Air force jet crash has risen to 27

22nd July 2025 at 8:42 AM

1 minute read

At least one person was killed and several others injured after an F-7 fighter aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force.

DHAKA, Bangladesh — A catastrophic crash involving a Bangladesh Air Force training jet occurred in Dhaka on Monday afternoon, when the aircraft slammed into Milestone School and College in the Uttara neighborhood, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 people, including the pilot, Flight Lt. Mohammed Toukir Islam, and primarily students. The incident, reported by the military and fire officials, marks the deadliest aviation disaster in the capital in recent history.

The Chinese-made F-7 BGI jet, which took off from A.K. Khandaker air force base at 1:06 p.m. local time, experienced a technical malfunction shortly after departure, according to a military statement. Despite the pilot’s efforts to steer the aircraft toward a less densely populated area, it crashed into the school’s two-story building, igniting a fire. The blaze and impact injured 171 people, mostly students, many of whom suffered burns. Rescue operations involved helicopters, ambulances, motorized rickshaws, and firefighters, with parents also aiding in evacuating victims from the smoldering structure.

The Milestone School and College, located approximately 11 kilometers (7 miles) from the air force base, is situated in a bustling area near a metro station, shops, and residences. Students described the school buildings shaking violently before a massive explosion prompted a frantic evacuation. Video footage captured by Al Emrun Garjon for AP showed thick smoke and flames at the crash site, with emergency responders working urgently to assist victims.

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At Dhaka’s National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, relatives gathered overnight, anxiously seeking news of loved ones. Mohammed Abdur Rahim, searching for his missing cousin Afia Akter, told The Associated Press, “We could not find my cousin. She is missing. Doctors here have asked us to go to other hospitals.” Another parent, Shahbul, was photographed in tears, reflecting the profound grief among families.

The government declared a national day of mourning on Tuesday, with flags lowered to half-staff nationwide. Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, expressed deep sorrow, calling the loss “irreparable” in a statement posted on X. The military has pledged a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, which follows a 2008 incident where another F-7 jet crashed outside Dhaka, killing its pilot after a technical issue.