Bangladesh Fighter Jet Crash into School Leaves at Least 20 Dead

July 21, 2025

A tragic accident unfolded in the capital city of Dhaka, Bangladesh, when a military training fighter jet crashed into a school, leaving at least 20 people dead and over 170 injured. The incident marks the deadliest aviation disaster in the country in decades.

The crash occurred on July 21, when a Chinese-made F-7 BJI aircraft slammed into the Milestone School and College, a well-known private institution that offers education from kindergarten to senior secondary levels. The jet, reportedly experiencing a mechanical failure, crashed into the two-storey building, causing widespread destruction and chaos.

Witnesses described the moment of impact as a loud explosion, followed by a fire that engulfed the school. Students and teachers were caught off guard as the jet struck the building just after classes had ended. The injured were quickly evacuated, with fire and rescue teams using stretchers to transport victims to nearby hospitals.

Among the victims were many young children, with most of the injured aged between 8 and 14. Mohammad Maruf Islam, joint director of Dhaka’s National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, stated that many of the victims were treated there for severe burns and trauma. Grieving families flooded the hospital, with some volunteers rushing to donate blood in a desperate attempt to save lives.

The military confirmed the pilot was on a routine training mission and had attempted to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas. Despite these efforts, the jet crashed into the school. The pilot, whose name has not been disclosed, was reportedly on his first solo flight.

Relatives of the victims expressed deep sorrow and anguish over the loss of their loved ones. Tofazzal Hossain, 30, broke down in tears after learning that his young cousin had been killed in the crash. “We frantically searched for my cousin in different hospitals,” Hossain said. “He was an eighth grader at the school. Finally, we found his body.”

According to a military statement, 20 people were killed, including the pilot, and 171 others were injured. Seven of the deceased remain unidentified. The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus, declared a day of national mourning, expressing “deep grief and sorrow” over the tragedy. “This is a moment of profound pain for the nation,” Yunus said.

The crash has drawn international attention, with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his “deeply shocked and saddened” reaction to the incident. Relations between Bangladesh and India have been strained in recent months following the ousting of former leader Sheikh Hasina, an old ally of New Delhi. Modi extended solidarity to Bangladesh, offering support and assistance in the aftermath of the disaster.

This tragedy is the worst aviation accident in Bangladesh in several decades. The country’s previous worst aviation disaster occurred in 1984 when a plane crashed, killing all 49 passengers on board. Last month, a similar incident in neighboring India claimed the lives of 260 people, highlighting the ongoing risks associated with aviation safety in the region.

As the investigation into the crash continues, the nation mourns the lives lost and the families who have been irrevocably changed by the tragedy. The incident has raised questions about aviation safety, pilot training, and the handling of mechanical failures in military aircraft. It is a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the need for continued improvements in safety protocols across all sectors.