Dhaka: A Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI fighter jet on a routine training mission crashed into a school and college campus in Dhaka on Monday afternoon, killing 27 people, 25 of them children, and injuring at least 88 others.
The tragedy unfolded at 1:06 p.m. local time when the Chinese-made F-7 BGI aircraft took off from Kurmitola airbase in the capital but encountered a mechanical failure within moments, according to a statement from the military. The jet crashed into the densely populated Uttara neighborhood, striking the premises of Milestone School and College.
Terrifying visuals from the site showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the charred remains of the building as firefighters, rescue workers, and soldiers sifted through smoldering debris. Parents and relatives, many weeping uncontrollably, gathered in anguish outside the gates.
Dhaka, Bangladesh 🇧🇩
An FT-7BGI serial/tail no. 2701 of the Bangladesh Air Force has crashed into the Uttara Milestone College Campus in Dhaka.
Pilot Flt Lt Tauqir has embrace martyrdom.
إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُون pic.twitter.com/AUrJMBNRmC
— Defense Technology of Bangladesh-DTB (@DefenseDtb) July 21, 2025
“The impact was catastrophic. We have recovered 27 bodies- 25 children, one teacher, and the pilot. Another 88 people have been hospitalised, most of them with serious burns,” said Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser on health.
The government declared a national day of mourning on Tuesday. Flags were flown at half-mast, and special prayers were held in mosques, temples, churches, and other places of worship across the country. The tragic accident has prompted urgent calls for stricter flight safety protocols in urban zones.
The aircraft involved was part of a fleet of 16 F-7 BGI fighters Bangladesh had acquired from China between 2011 and 2013. The F-7 BGI is the final and most advanced variant in China’s Chengdu J-7 series, a license-built version of the Soviet MiG-21.
Rest in peace… Flight Lieutenant Tawkir of Bangladesh Air Force who embraced martyrdom in today’s FT-7 crash. pic.twitter.com/7C3NAzMFii
— Defense Technology of Bangladesh-DTB (@DefenseDtb) July 21, 2025
Investigations are underway to determine the precise cause of the mechanical failure. Flight Lieutenant Mohammed Toukir Islam, the pilot, reportedly made every effort to steer the aircraft away from populated areas before it crashed into the school, though details of his final actions remain unclear.
The overwhelming majority of the victims were children between the ages of 12 and 16, according to doctors at Dhaka’s burn hospital, where a blood donation camp has been established. Several bodies were charred beyond recognition and may require DNA identification, officials said.
