A devastating jet crash at a school campus in Dhaka has left 27 people dead, including at least 25 children, and 88 others injured. The Bangladesh Air Force jet, on a training mission, slammed into Milestone School and College, igniting a firestorm that engulfed classrooms and dormitories.
Highlights
- Air Force F-7 BGI jet crashed during a training flight in Dhaka
- 25 students and 2 adults confirmed dead
- 88 others hospitalized with serious burns and injuries
- Government declares a day of mourning
- Investigation launched into mechanical failure
Main Story
What began as a routine military exercise turned into a catastrophe in Bangladesh’s capital when an F-7 BGI fighter jet crashed into a school and college campus in Uttara, Dhaka. Eyewitnesses described a deafening explosion followed by flames ripping through school buildings as the jet tore through classrooms filled with students.
Officials confirmed that 25 of the 27 victims were children between the ages of 8 and 17. A teacher and the jet’s pilot also died in the crash. Rescue teams spent hours pulling charred bodies from the debris. Hospitals across the city are now treating 88 victims, many with critical burns.
According to Bangladesh Air Force statements, the pilot reported engine trouble moments before the crash. The F-7 BGI, a Chinese-made jet used for training, nose-dived shortly after takeoff from Kurmitola Airbase. A full investigation is underway to determine the exact cause.
Bangladesh’s President and Prime Minister expressed deep sorrow and announced a day of national mourning. Flags were flown at half-mast and prayer vigils were held in schools and religious institutions across the country.
As families grieve, student protests have begun in Dhaka demanding improved flight safety protocols and accountability from the military. Education officials are also under pressure to review school safety standards, especially in zones near airbases.
As families bury their loved ones, Dhaka is left to reckon with a haunting question—how did a place of learning become a site of such unimaginable loss?
