A Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into Milestone School and College in northern Dhaka’s Uttara district on Monday afternoon, killing at least 19 people and injuring 164, in what has become the deadliest air accident in the capital in recent memory.
The Chinese-made F-7BGI aircraft took off from BAF Base Bir Uttom AK Khandker at 1:06pm local time for a routine training flight but reportedly experienced a mechanical failure shortly after departure.
According to military officials, the pilot—Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam—attempted to steer the jet away from densely populated areas but crashed into the primary school building as students were in classes or sitting for exams. The pilot, who managed to eject, was critically injured and later died in hospital.
Most of the victims are believed to be children, as the plane struck classrooms for grades 1–5, as well as teachers and school staff. At least 16 students, two teachers, and the pilot are among the confirmed dead.
Over 100 others, including both children and adults, sustained injuries—many from burns—with doctors describing at least eight cases as critical and warning the toll could rise.
Footage from the scene revealed a massive blaze and thick, black smoke billowing from the wreckage. Emergency responders worked swiftly, with nine fire engine units and military personnel rescuing victims, battling flames, and transporting the injured to several area hospitals, including Dhaka
Medical College Hospital and the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Many students and teachers were seen helping each other, dragging the wounded to rickshaws and ambulances, as crowds of anxious parents and onlookers gathered nearby.
Several eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos and terror. “When I looked back, I just saw fire and smoke… There were many guardians and kids here,” said one teacher. Another student described watching the aircraft hit the building “right in front of my eyes”.
The crash occurred just before school break, with many children still inside the building. Classes at Milestone School and College range from playgroup through secondary levels, with some 2,000 students enrolled.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed profound grief, calling the incident a “moment of deep national sorrow” and promising a thorough investigation. The Bangladeshi government has declared a national day of mourning for July 22.
Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities sort through debris and search for possible survivors. The Inter-Services Public Relations office confirmed a committee has been established to investigate the cause of the disaster.
Early reports suggest a sudden technical malfunction led to loss of control shortly after takeoff, but further details are pending.
This tragedy marks one of the worst aviation disasters in Bangladesh’s recent history and has sent shockwaves through the nation as families, students, and school staff mourn the devastating loss.