A tragic accident occurred on July 21, 2025, when a Bangladeshi fighter jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Dhaka, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 people, primarily schoolchildren, and injuring more than 170 others.
The Chinese-made F-7 BJI aircraft, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam, was on a routine training mission when it reportedly experienced a mechanical failure. This event marks the deadliest aviation disaster in Bangladesh in decades.
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus declared July 22 a day of national mourning, expressing profound sorrow for the immense loss. Below, we provide details about the incident, the casualties, and official responses, based on statements from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Bangladesh military.
▶️ Bangladesh plane crash kills at least 27, including 25 children https://t.co/U4JbSJ8QxJ pic.twitter.com/X3MT3f7bBR
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) July 22, 2025Government official Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, confirmed: “So far, 27 people have died. Among them, 25 are children and one is a pilot.” He added: “Seventy-eight people are being treated in different hospitals.”
Bangladesh plane crash: What happened, what’s the latest https://t.co/SmRqXEdRxl
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) July 22, 2025The victims were primarily schoolchildren dismissed from class when the jet struck the two-storey building. The crash caused widespread devastation, with survivors recounting chaos as the plane slammed into the school.
The Bangladesh military stated the pilot diverted the aircraft from densely populated areas despite mechanical issues. “The exact cause remains under investigation,” their statement noted. Islam attempted to minimise civilian harm but could not prevent the collision. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the root cause of the failure.
রাজধানীর দিয়াবাড়ি এলাকায় মাইলস্টোন স্কুল অ্যান্ড কলেজ ক্যাম্পাসে বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনীর প্রশিক্ষণ বিমান বিধ্বস্ত হয়ে হতাহতের ঘটনায় নিহতদের মধ্যে যাদের পরিচয় সনাক্ত করা যাবে তাদের মৃতদেহ অতিসত্বর পরিবারের কাছে হস্তান্তর করা হবে। যাদের পরিচয় তাৎক্ষণিকভাবে শনাক্ত করা যাবেনা…
— Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) July 21, 2025Interim leader Muhammad Yunus posted on X: “The loss suffered by the Air Force, the students, parents, teachers, and staff of Milestone School and College, as well as others affected by this accident, is irreparable. This is a moment of profound pain for the nation.”
