A Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a Dhaka school campus on Monday, July 21, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 160, including children and teachers, according to government officials. The Chinese-made F-7 BGI fighter went down shortly after takeoff, striking Milestone School and College and triggering a large fire as panicked crowds rushed to the scene.
Emergency crews arrived as the aircraft burned on impact. The plane struck the campus building during school hours and damaged multiple classrooms. Firefighters extinguished the flames while rescuers pulled victims from the wreckage.
Videos from the scene showed thick smoke and crowds crying out as they searched for loved ones.
Dozens hospitalized, children among the dead
According to Bloomberg, 83 victims were receiving treatment at hospitals in Dhaka. Among the injured were students and staff who were attending classes or taking exams. The youngest confirmed fatality was a third-grade student. Others hospitalized ranged in age from 12 to 40.
Government response
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus offered condolences and called the crash an irreparable loss for the air force and the community. He stated that the government would investigate the cause and provide full assistance to those affected.
“This is a moment of profound pain for the nation,” he said in a statement. Yunus also directed hospitals and authorities to prioritize treatment for the injured.
What type of jet was involved?
The jet was an F-7 BGI, a Chinese-made fighter used by the Bangladesh Air Force for training purposes. It took off from a nearby base before crashing minutes later. Military officials have not identified the cause.
