Fiery Training Aircraft F-7 BGI Fighter Jet Crash at Milestone School Injures Dozens, Sparks National Mourning
A Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College in Uttara’s Diabari area on Monday, triggering a massive fire and injuring more than 27 students, several of them critically. One body has been recovered so far, while efforts to douse the flames and rescue victims continue, according to the Fire Service and Civil Defence.
The crash occurred shortly after the jet took off at 1:06 PM, as confirmed by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR). The aircraft was piloted by Flight Lieutenant Mohammad Tawkir Islam and reportedly fell into a field adjacent to the school premises. At the time, regular classes for grades one through seven were underway with around 160 students present on campus.
According to Khaleda Yasmin, Duty Officer at the Fire Service Headquarters, "One body has been recovered from the scene, and rescue operations are ongoing." Eight fire service units from Uttara, Tongi, Pallabi, Kurmitola, Mirpur, and Purbachal are working to bring the fire under control.
Immediately after the crash, panicked students and teachers fled the classrooms. Guardians also rushed to the school following news of the incident. Graphic and emotional footage has since flooded social media, depicting burned uniforms, injured children, and distressed parents.
Among the injured, 27 have been admitted to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Most of the victims are believed to be students, though their identities have not yet been released.
Four of the critically injured have been airlifted by Bangladesh Air Force helicopters to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH). Others have been taken to Bangladesh Medical College Hospital and Kuwait Maitree Hospital for emergency treatment.
Dr. Amal Kanti Nath from Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital reported, “We’ve received numerous injured victims, at least 30–35 of whom were referred to the burn unit due to critical conditions. All of them exhibit burn injuries to varying degrees.”
While many attempted to assist, large crowds at the crash site disrupted rescue efforts. “Crowd control has become an issue, affecting the normal operations of the fire and emergency responders,” said a rescue official.
The incident has plunged the nation into shock, with heartbreaking images of burned children and terrified guardians rapidly spreading online. Grief, disbelief, and prayers have flooded social media as the country awaits further updates.
