Saturday, 02 August, 2025
In one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory, a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Diabari, Uttara on Monday afternoon, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 150—many of them schoolchildren.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), around 70 people injured in the accident have so far been admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam Sagar, the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft, succumbed to his injuries at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka, hours after the crash, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror as the F-7 BGI fighter jet, reportedly on a routine solo training mission, lost control and slammed into the school compound just as classes were ending for the day. A massive explosion followed the impact, engulfing the building in flames and sending thick black smoke into the sky.
Panic and chaos erupted as parents, many waiting to pick up their children, watched in horror. The jet struck the two-storey Hydar Ali academic building, where English-medium students from Classes 3 to 8 were in session. The explosion triggered the collapse of part of the structure, trapping many inside.
“The building was full of children. No one could get out when the fire broke out,” said Shah Bulbul, a spokesperson for the school, his voice trembling.
Dozens of wounded students and parents were pulled from the burning building by bystanders and emergency personnel. They were transported using stretchers, rickshaws, pushcarts, and ambulances to nearby hospitals. Those in critical condition were later transferred to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
Outside the burn institute, grief-stricken families clung to hope, anxiously awaiting news. Many broke down in tears as medical staff worked frantically to stabilize the injured.
“It seemed the aircraft hit the field, skidded, and slammed into the building. Then came the explosion,” said Zakir Hossain, a local resident who witnessed the crash with tears in his eyes.
By 4:30pm, Brigadier General Md Zahid Kamal, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence, confirmed the recovery of 19 bodies. Later, ISPR raised the death toll to 20, including the pilot.
Hospitals across Uttara and Dhaka overflowed with the injured. According to the ISPR:
CMH Dhaka: 12 dead, 17 injured
National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery: 2 dead, 70 injured
Kurmitola General Hospital: 2 dead, 1 injured
Lubana General Hospital: 2 dead, 11 injured
Uttara Adhunik Hospital: 1 dead, 60 injured
Dhaka Medical College Hospital: 1 dead, 3 injured
Kuwait Maitree Hospital: 8 injured
Uttara Crescent Hospital: 1 injured
The total casualty list reflects the scale of devastation caused by the crash.
Witnesses reported seeing someone parachuting from the aircraft moments before it hit the building. Many believe the pilot attempted to eject but was critically injured on landing.
Kawsar, an eleventh-grade student, recalled: “Our younger brothers were inside the junior campus. Everyone was burning. We tried to pull them out, but the flames were unbearable.”
Another student, Sadman Tanvir, said, “We heard a loud explosion during class and ran outside. Flames were devouring Building 1. The jet must have exploded right in front of it.”
Locals credited the swift response from the nearby fire station and army camp for preventing even greater loss of life. However, many were trapped before rescuers could reach them.
Latifa Begum, who lives near the school, said her niece in Grade 6 had just returned home minutes before the crash. “Others weren’t so lucky,” she added, tearfully.
Mohammad Jaimat Ali, who operates a nearby excavator garage, said he and colleague Apon Ahmed were shocked to see the jet flying unusually low. “Then came the blast. We saw people on fire. Children and their parents were screaming. We tried to help, but the flames pushed us back.”
“There was no way to enter,” added Apon. “We saw children lying still. Even those we pulled out were burned beyond recognition.”
As emergency services continued their efforts late into the night, questions loomed over the safety of conducting military flight exercises near densely populated areas. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound sorrow and ordered full government support for the victims’ families.
A national day of mourning has been declared as the country reels from a tragedy that has stunned the nation and left the Uttara community shattered.
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In one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory, a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Diabari, Uttara on Monday afternoon, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 150—many of them schoolchildren.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), around 70 people injured in the accident have so far been admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam Sagar, the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft, succumbed to his injuries at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka, hours after the crash, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror as the F-7 BGI fighter jet, reportedly on a routine solo training mission, lost control and slammed into the school compound just as classes were ending for the day. A massive explosion followed the impact, engulfing the building in flames and sending thick black smoke into the sky.
Panic and chaos erupted as parents, many waiting to pick up their children, watched in horror. The jet struck the two-storey Hydar Ali academic building, where English-medium students from Classes 3 to 8 were in session. The explosion triggered the collapse of part of the structure, trapping many inside.
“The building was full of children. No one could get out when the fire broke out,” said Shah Bulbul, a spokesperson for the school, his voice trembling.
Dozens of wounded students and parents were pulled from the burning building by bystanders and emergency personnel. They were transported using stretchers, rickshaws, pushcarts, and ambulances to nearby hospitals. Those in critical condition were later transferred to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
Outside the burn institute, grief-stricken families clung to hope, anxiously awaiting news. Many broke down in tears as medical staff worked frantically to stabilize the injured.
“It seemed the aircraft hit the field, skidded, and slammed into the building. Then came the explosion,” said Zakir Hossain, a local resident who witnessed the crash with tears in his eyes.
By 4:30pm, Brigadier General Md Zahid Kamal, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence, confirmed the recovery of 19 bodies. Later, ISPR raised the death toll to 20, including the pilot.
Hospitals across Uttara and Dhaka overflowed with the injured. According to the ISPR:
CMH Dhaka: 12 dead, 17 injured
National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery: 2 dead, 70 injured
Kurmitola General Hospital: 2 dead, 1 injured
Lubana General Hospital: 2 dead, 11 injured
Uttara Adhunik Hospital: 1 dead, 60 injured
Dhaka Medical College Hospital: 1 dead, 3 injured
Kuwait Maitree Hospital: 8 injured
Uttara Crescent Hospital: 1 injured
The total casualty list reflects the scale of devastation caused by the crash.
Witnesses reported seeing someone parachuting from the aircraft moments before it hit the building. Many believe the pilot attempted to eject but was critically injured on landing.
Kawsar, an eleventh-grade student, recalled: “Our younger brothers were inside the junior campus. Everyone was burning. We tried to pull them out, but the flames were unbearable.”
Another student, Sadman Tanvir, said, “We heard a loud explosion during class and ran outside. Flames were devouring Building 1. The jet must have exploded right in front of it.”
Locals credited the swift response from the nearby fire station and army camp for preventing even greater loss of life. However, many were trapped before rescuers could reach them.
Latifa Begum, who lives near the school, said her niece in Grade 6 had just returned home minutes before the crash. “Others weren’t so lucky,” she added, tearfully.
Mohammad Jaimat Ali, who operates a nearby excavator garage, said he and colleague Apon Ahmed were shocked to see the jet flying unusually low. “Then came the blast. We saw people on fire. Children and their parents were screaming. We tried to help, but the flames pushed us back.”
“There was no way to enter,” added Apon. “We saw children lying still. Even those we pulled out were burned beyond recognition.”
As emergency services continued their efforts late into the night, questions loomed over the safety of conducting military flight exercises near densely populated areas. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound sorrow and ordered full government support for the victims’ families.
A national day of mourning has been declared as the country reels from a tragedy that has stunned the nation and left the Uttara community shattered.
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