A Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Uttara, Dacca, on July 21, 2025, at 1:18 p.m. local time, killing 19 people, including 16 students, two teachers, and the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam Sagar. The crash, which occurred 12 minutes after takeoff, injured over 100 others, many with severe burns, after the jet struck the college’s dining hall, triggering a massive fire. Emergency teams, including firefighters and military personnel, responded swiftly, but the blaze and dense smoke complicated rescues. Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, declared a day of national mourning and vowed to investigate the cause. The tragedy, one of Dacca’s deadliest air disasters, has raised concerns about the safety of aging F-7 jets.
The crash disrupted the densely populated Uttara area, with videos showing panicked crowds and thick smoke rising from the wreckage. The incident, impacting a school with nearly 2,000 students, has intensified scrutiny on military flight operations near urban centers.
- Casualties of the crash:
- 16 students, including one third-year student.
- 2 teachers from Milestone School and College.
- 1 pilot, Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam Sagar.
- Over 100 injured, with 48 in critical condition.
Details of the crash
The F-7 BGI jet, a Chinese-manufactured aircraft, took off at 1:06 p.m. for a routine training mission before crashing into the college’s dining hall during lunch hour. The impact caused an immediate explosion, engulfing the building in flames and collapsing part of the structure. Eyewitnesses described a loud blast followed by chaos as students and staff fled the burning wreckage.
Footage circulating online showed a thick plume of black smoke and scattered debris, with the dining hall’s roof partially destroyed. Rescue efforts were hampered by crowds of parents rushing to the scene. Firefighters used water jets to extinguish the flames, while military helicopters airlifted critically injured victims to hospitals. The pilot, Towkir Islam Sagar, was rushed to the Combined Military Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Preliminary reports suggest a possible mechanical failure in the aging F-7 jet, though human error has not been ruled out. The model, a variant of the Soviet MiG-21, has faced criticism for its outdated technology, with similar crashes reported in Myanmar in June 2025 and other regions.
- Crash specifics:
- F-7 BGI jet crashed at 1:18 p.m., 12 minutes after takeoff.
- Impact hit the dining hall during lunch hour.
- Fire and smoke delayed initial rescue efforts.
- Investigation focuses on potential mechanical issues.
Community response
The Uttara neighborhood, a residential hub in Dacca, was gripped by panic as parents and residents gathered near the crash site. A 17-year-old student, absent during the incident, shared her shock at seeing the school in flames. Many parents used rickshaws to transport injured children due to delayed ambulances. The emotional toll was evident, with reports of traumatized students witnessing the disaster.
The Milestone School and College, serving around 2,000 students, halted classes indefinitely. A hotline (01949-043697) was set up at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery to assist families. Community leaders called for psychological support for affected students and stricter regulations on military flights over populated areas.
- Uttara’s reaction:
- Parents crowded the crash site, complicating rescues.
- Classes suspended at Milestone School and College.
- Emergency hotline: 01949-043697.
- Calls for mental health support for students.
Government actions
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed condolences, calling the loss “irreparable” and declaring July 22 a national mourning day, with flags at half-mast. He pledged a thorough investigation into the crash and promised medical support, including potential foreign doctors for burn victims. The Ministry of Defense confirmed the jet was a training aircraft and launched an inquiry into its maintenance records.
The tragedy has fueled criticism of Bangladesh’s reliance on aging Chinese-made F-7 jets. Yunus assured that “necessary measures” would be taken to prevent future incidents, with early reports suggesting a review of military flight paths near urban centers.
History of air crashes
The Dacca crash is the city’s deadliest air disaster in decades, surpassing the 2018 US-Bangla Airlines crash in Kathmandu, which killed 51. The F-7 BGI, acquired by Bangladesh in 2013, has a troubling record, with a similar incident in Myanmar in June 2025 killing the pilot. Over the past five years, Bangladesh’s Air Force reported three non-fatal F-7 incidents, raising questions about the fleet’s reliability.
Globally, the F-7, a derivative of the MiG-21, has been linked to multiple crashes due to mechanical issues. The proximity of air bases to Dacca’s urban areas has heightened concerns, with experts urging a shift to modern aircraft to reduce risks.
- Notable air incidents:
- 2018: US-Bangla Airlines crash in Kathmandu, 51 dead.
- June 2025: F-7 crash in Myanmar, pilot killed.
- 2020-2024: Three non-fatal F-7 incidents in Bangladesh.
- 2013: Bangladesh acquired 16 F-7 BGI jets.
Rescue operations
Eight fire brigades from Uttara, Tongi, Pallabi, Kurmitola, Mirpur, and Purbachal battled the blaze for hours. Military personnel and school staff assisted in evacuating victims, using rickshaws and helicopters when ambulances were insufficient. The National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery treated over 50 victims, with 48 in critical condition due to severe burns.
The Combined Military Hospital and Dhaka Medical College handled most casualties, with the government covering treatment costs, including reconstructive surgeries. Rescue operations ended by evening, but searches for additional victims continued amid fears of a rising death toll.
- Rescue efforts:
- Eight fire brigades deployed to extinguish flames.
- Military helicopters airlifted critical victims.
- 48 victims in critical condition with burns.
- National Institute of Burn treated over 50 patients.
Concerns over F-7 jets
The F-7 BGI, a cost-effective but outdated jet, has been criticized for its safety record. Based on the 1960s-era MiG-21, it lacks modern avionics and has a history of mechanical failures. Bangladesh’s Air Force operates 16 of these jets for training and light missions, but the Dacca crash has intensified calls for their replacement.
Aviation experts highlight the risks of operating aging aircraft near densely populated areas like Uttara. The ongoing investigation will examine maintenance logs and pilot training, with pressure mounting for Bangladesh to invest in safer, modern aircraft to prevent future tragedies.