Day turned dark in Uttara over fatal plane crash at school

Dhaka: On July 21, around 1:00 pm local time, a Bangladesh Air Force F‑7 BGI training jet took off from AK Khandker Air Force Base. Within minutes, the aircraft suffered a technical failure and plunged into the Milestone School and College campus in Uttara, Dhaka, rammed into the school’s gate and junior buildings, and erupted in fire and chaos.

Panic, courage, tragedy

The jet crashed during class hours, striking areas where young students—some as young as six or seven—were studying or taking exams.

Witnesses reported a deafening explosion followed by engulfing flames and thick black smoke. Teachers, parents, and bystanders rushed in, frantically rescuing the injured and carrying them to hospitals by any means—rickshaws, fire trucks, even helicopter airlifts.

Human toll

At least 19 people were killed—including the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md Toukir Islam, and several teachers and students.

More than 100 individuals, predominately students, sustained injuries—many with severe burns. Hospitals reported 120–170+ burn injury cases.

Among these, dozens are critically injured and continue to fight for their lives.

Final act of sacrifice

Reports suggest the pilot, finding the jet uncontrollable, steered it away from denser residential zones and strove to avoid hitting larger parts of the campus. Witnesses say he remained at the controls, sacrificing his own chance to eject in hopes of minimizing casualties on the ground.

Aftermath, official response

A high-level investigation by the Bangladesh Air Force was immediately launched to uncover the cause of the technical malfunction.

Bangladesh’s interim chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus, expressed deep sorrow, offered government support to victims’ families, and announced a national state of mourning with flags at half-mast.

Rescue teams—including military, police, RAB, and fire services—joined in a coordinated operation to extinguish fires, evacuate victims, and secure the site.

Echoes of similar tragedies

The crash bears grim resemblance to recent aviation calamities—like the passenger aircraft crash in India just weeks ago—underscoring renewed concerns over aviation safety in the region.

In remembrance

In the wake of the tragedy, the nation is united in grief and resolve. Relief efforts are underway—blood donation drives, emergency aid, and solidarity from communities and celebrities alike are pouring in.

Parents, teachers, peers, and rescuers showed incredible courage under horrifying circumstances—rushing into burning wreckage, carrying injured children, attempting heroic rescues. Though the full scale of loss remains profound, these stories reflect human resilience amid the nightmare.

What comes next

Investigation details: Authorities are prioritizing the findings of the BAF high-level probe—specially to determine what mechanical or procedural factors led to this accident.

Support for victims: Hospitals are continuing treatment; government aid and hospital helplines (CMH Burn Unit: 01769016019; Milestone admin: 01814774132) are active.

Healing the community: As the nation honors the fallen and injured, there is a growing call for systemic safety reviews—on military aircraft and civilian schooling infrastructures.