INTERNATIONAL – On Monday afternoon, a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet tragically crashed into the Milestone College campus in Uttara, Dhaka, claiming the lives of 27 individuals, among them at least 25 children, and leaving 88 others hospitalized with burn injuries, according to Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief health adviser. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from the nearby Kurmitola airbase around 1:06 p.m., when the Chinese-built Chengdu F‑7 BGI trainer jet experienced a suspected mechanical failure.
Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft spiraled out of control before slamming into the school’s buildings, which burst into flames—trapping students and staff inside the charred wreckage. Rescue teams scrambled to evacuate bedridden individuals and those suffering severe burns after pulling them from the debris-strewn structures.
By Tuesday, as rescue efforts continued, a wave of anger and grief transformed into public outrage. Hundreds of students rallied at the crash site, challenging officials to provide an accurate death count and demanding accountability. Protesters, some wielding sticks, also clashed with police near the government secretariat, calling for the resignation of the education adviser—a move that prompted authorities to deploy tear gas and baton charges.
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The Bangladesh military has formed a high-level investigation to determine the precise cause of the crash. They also claimed that Lieutenant Toukir Islam, the pilot, attempted to steer the failing jet away from residential zones and pulled up before the collision, potentially reducing civilian casualties. One aviation official confirmed the jet suffered from “mechanical failure,” though formal conclusions await technical review.
The Bangladeshi government has declared a national day of mourning, lowering flags to half-mast and calling for collective prayers. Pope Leo extended his condolences and prayed for healing for the injured. The F‑7 BGI is the most advanced in the Chengdu J‑7 series and was acquired after a 2011 procurement deal. This incident, coming just weeks after India’s catastrophic Air India crash, marks one of the worst aviation disasters in South Asia in recent years.
Authorities have pledged to ground similar training jets and review air force protocols for flights near populated areas. As investigations advance, the tragedy has prompted urgent calls for improved safety standards, stricter training procedures, and enhanced oversight—essential steps to prevent such devastating accidents, especially in areas filled with vulnerable school children.
