July 21, 2025 – Blink News Global
A Bangladesh Air Force F‑7 BGI training aircraft crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka’s Uttara district today, resulting in a devastating toll: at least 19 fatalities, including the pilot, and over 160 injured—many of them children.
🕒 What Happened
- The fighter jet departed from Kurmitola (BAF Base Bir Uttom A.K. Khandker) at 1:06 p.m. local time during a routine training mission. Soon after takeoff, a technical malfunction forced pilot Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam Sagar to redirect the aircraft away from residential zones—but tragically, it crashed into a two-story school building on campus.
🚑 Human Impact
- Ground casualties: 19 individuals confirmed dead (including students, faculty, and staff), and 164 others injured—many with serious burn injuries. Dhaka Medical College treated at least one third-grade student who was declared dead on arrival, and other young victims aged 12 and 14 were among the wounded.
- Rescue efforts: Fire crews tackled the blaze as crowds gathered in shock, while firefighters worked to secure the damaged building.
⚠️ Official Response
- Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, declared a state of mourning and has launched a high-level investigation into the crash.
- The Bangladesh Air Force established a committee to determine the cause of the accident.
💡 Why This Matters
- Safety under spotlight: The crash is the deadliest involving military aircraft in Bangladesh in recent history, raising serious concerns about aviation safety in the region. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/least-19-killed-scores-injured-bangladesh-air-force-jet-crashes-into-college-2025-07-21/
- Broader repercussions: This tragedy comes just weeks after a fatal Air India crash in India, prompting calls for stricter aircraft maintenance and training policies across South Asia. Reuters
❓ Questions to Follow
- Will aviation authorities in Bangladesh enact enhanced safety protocols or modernization efforts for its air force fleet?
- How quickly will support be provided to victims and their families affected by this disaster?
