Dhaka School Jet Crash: Chinese J-7 Model's Mechenical Failure cited as Reason for Crash
The tragedy unfolded when an F-7BGI jet slammed into the school building, igniting a fire that engulfed a corridor filled with school students.
A catastrophic fighter jet crash rocked Milestone School in Dhaka’s Uttara neighborhood on Monday morning, July 21, 2025, leaving 19 dead, including 16 children and the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Toukir Islam, and over 100 injured, many with severe burns. The tragedy unfolded when an F-7BGI jet, an advanced Chinese J-7 model on a training flight, suffered a mechanical failure and slammed into the school building, igniting a fire that engulfed a corridor filled with primary and secondary students.
Purnima Das, a teacher at the school, described the horrifying scene in a Facebook post: “I heard a loud bang and saw children running, their bodies on fire.” Having just left the corridor that erupted in flames, she rushed to douse burning students with water, but the fire and panic quickly spread. “A colleague collapsed in the flames, pleading for help. I stood frozen as someone pulled me to safety,” she recounted. Returning minutes later, she saw the charred bodies of young students. “Their faces haunt me,” she added.
Farhan Hasan, a student who had just finished an exam, witnessed his best friend burn to death. “The plane hit the building right before my eyes,” he told BBC Bangla. Another teacher, Masud Tarik, recalled to Reuters, “I heard an explosion, turned, and saw only fire and smoke.” Rezaul Islam, another teacher, confirmed to the BBC that the jet “directly” struck the school.
Also Read: Seven Killed, Including Two Children, in Twin Assam Road Tragedies
The crash occurred as 80% of the students had already left for the day, narrowly averting an even greater tragedy. The armed forces stated the pilot attempted to steer the malfunctioning jet toward a less populated area before the crash. The injured, including 25 in critical condition, are being treated across seven hospitals. A probe committee has been formed to investigate the incident, which has left the community reeling from the loss and trauma.
Also Read: Tragic Crash on Hyderabad Outer Ring Road: Five Dead in High-Speed Collision!
