On July 21, 2025, tragedy struck Dhaka as a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training jet crashed into the Milestone College in the Diyabari area of Uttara. The devastating incident resulted in one fatality and left several others injured, sparking immediate emergency response.
Plane crashes during routine training
A statement issued by the Bangladesh Army’s PR department verified that the aircraft was a part of the Air Force’s training operations. The F-7 BGI model is a Chinese-origin aircraft that is usually used for pilot training missions.
Reportedly, the aircraft was on a routine training flight when it lost control around noon and crashed straight into the school campus. Dramatic video clips captured thick plumes of black smoke and fierce flames erupting from the crash site, sending waves of panic through nearby students and residents.
One death confirmed, injured evacuated
Fire service central control room duty officer Lima Khanam confirmed to bdnews24 that a body had been recovered from the scene. “The training aircraft crashed into Milestone School and College in Diyabari. Our team has recovered one body. The air force has rescued four injured and taken them with them,” she said.
Initial reports said four people were injured, but Jamuna TV later reported that the number of injured could be as high as 13, including school students and staff.
Emergency services respond quickly
Following the crash, firefighters and military rescue units rushed to the scene. Their quick response helped control the fire and prevent further casualties. Authorities have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.
The identity of the deceased is yet to be officially confirmed. The condition of the injured, who also include a student, has also not been publicly disclosed.
Aviation safety concerns raised again
This tragic accident has once again raised serious concerns regarding aviation safety protocols in South Asia, especially with regard to older military aircraft like the F-7 BGI.
Earlier this month, a routine training flight turned deadly when a Jaguar aircraft went down in Churu, Rajasthan, claiming the lives of Squadron Leader Lokendra Singh Sindhu (31) and Flight Lieutenant Rishi Raj Singh (23), both serving officers in the Indian Air Force.
In another recent aviation accident, Air India’s AI717 commercial plane crashed into a medical college hostel in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, killing 241 passengers and 19 on board, leaving behind a trail of devastation and grief.
Investigation underway
The Bangladesh military has not released any specific details about the cause of the F-7 BGI plane crash. Investigations are underway to determine whether the accident was caused by a technical malfunction, pilot error or environmental factors.
Authorities are expected to release further information once preliminary findings are available.
The crash of a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft on a school campus in Dhaka is a grim reminder of the risks associated with older training aircraft and the need for stringent safety checks. While rescue operations are underway and officials are trying to determine the cause of the accident, the entire nation is mourning the tragic loss and praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.