On July 21, 2025, a tragic incident occurred when a Chinese-manufactured FT-7BGI training jet from the Bangladesh Air Force crashed into the Milestone School & College campus in Uttara, Dhaka. The aircraft had just taken off from BAF Base Bir Uttom A.K. Khandker when it lost control and went down.
The crash claimed at least 20 lives, including the pilot and approximately 17 students.
A large number of individuals sustained injuries, many suffering severe burns. The injured were rushed to various hospitals across the capital, with the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery receiving at least 70 patients. According to attending physicians, most of those admitted are in critical condition.
Eyewitnesses reported a steady stream of injured individuals arriving at the emergency section of the Burn Institute. Several voluntary groups, including school-based scout organizations, have mobilized to donate blood and offer other forms of support.
Flight Lieutenant Md Towkir Islam, the pilot, reportedly attempted to steer the jet away from densely populated areas in a last-minute effort to minimize casualties. Despite his attempt, the plane ultimately crashed into the school grounds.
Emergency response teams, including firefighters, military personnel, and civilian volunteers, responded promptly. In the aftermath, the government declared a day of national mourning and launched a comprehensive investigation. Preliminary reports suggest a possible mechanical failure, prompting authorities to consider stricter aviation safety measures in urban areas.
Later in the day, several government advisors—including Asif Nazrul (Legal), Mustafa Sarwar Farooqui (Cultural), Fawzul Kabir Khan (Power and Energy), Syeda Rizwana Hasan (Environment), Adilur Rahman Khan (Industries), and Mahfuz Alam (Information and Broadcasting)—visited the injured. Political leaders such as Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also paid visits to express their condolences.
