On the 21st of July 2025, 2025, an Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed into the Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara district which resulted to the loss of lives, 27 including 25 children and causing 88 injuries. The tragic accident, which is among the worst aviation accidents in Bangladesh’s recent past caused an official National day of mourning, and raised serious concerns about the safety of aviation and military training guidelines. This article examines the causes of the accident and its immediate aftermath and the wider implications for policy in the country.

Incident Overview

The F-7 BGI is an upgraded version of the Chinese-made Chengdu J-7/F-7 Series, left Kurmitola Air Force Base in Dhaka around 1:16 p.mAt (local time) 07:06 GMT, the mission is a routine training exercise.

After takeoff, the plane experienced an issue with its mechanical system, as stated to the Bangladesh Armed Forces.Even though the pilot and Airman Mohammed Towkir Islam tried their best to The plane was moved away from busy areas, but it crashed into a two-story building at the Milestone School and College in the Diabari region of Uttara at 1:28 p. m.

The impact caused a massive fire that emitted massive smoke and caused structural damage.

The Milestone School and College, which educates around 2000 students from pre-school to high school was in session with many students getting ready for their final day. The aircraft struck a second floor classroom, mostly affecting students in grades three to four, which led to devastating effects. Local media showed images of firefighters fighting fires and rescue teams scouring the debris as grieving families gathered in front of the school.

Casualties and Emergency Response

The initial report was 19 but the death toll climbed to 27 including 25 youngsters among the dead as reported by Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief health adviser. The pilot also perished but it’s not clear whether he was ejected prior to the crash. Of the 88 victims the majority suffered from severe burns, and 25 were in critical condition, with nine who were in intensive treatment within the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. The hospital experienced a significant amount of stress when families and friends offered help with blood donations.

A coordinated rescue operation involved an entire team of Bangladesh Army, Air Force and police Border Guard Bangladesh, and eight fire service units. Helicopters, ambulances, and local vehicles helped move the injured people to the hospitals.Because of the seriousness of certain injuries and the severity of some injuries, DNA tests were needed to identify the victims and the interim chief Muhammad Yunus pledging to expedite the process for families affected by the tragedy.

National and International Reactions

The government announced that July 22nd, 2025, will be a national day of mourning.It was marked by flags being lowered and special services held throughout the nation. The interim president Muhammad Yunus described the event as an “profound national tragedy” and set up a high-level commission to study the cause of the crash. A crisis hotline was established to help families. Internationally, officials from India and Pakistan expressed their condolences and offered assistance, demonstrating the impact of the tragedy on the region. Famous Bangladeshi celebrities, including Shakib Al Hasan, a cricketer Shakib Al-Hasan expressed their sadness, highlighting tragic incident’s global resonance.

Historical Context and Safety Concerns

The F-7 BGI which was acquired as part of an agreement in 2011 for 16 aircrafts it is a derivative from the Soviet MiG-21. The incident comes after a 2008 F-7 crash which caused the death of its pilot due to technical issues. This marks the July 2025 crash as the deadliest aviation accident in Dhaka since the 1984 Biman Bangladesh Airlines accident that claimed the lives of 49. The close proximity of military training facilities to urban areas, such as Uttara close to both an airbase for the military and an international airport has led to debate over the safety of such operations.

Implications and Future Steps

The incident highlights the necessity of implementing strict maintenance procedures for Bangladesh’s ageing F-7 fleet, as well as a review of training facilities for the military.The report from the inquiry committee will be important for handling the issues.

 Families of victims’ families especially parents of the children the loss is immense as the survivors face a significant trauma.

As Bangladesh grieves, the efforts are on helping the injured in identifying victims, as well as conducting a thorough investigation. The quick response of the Bangladeshi community shows its resilience, however, the incident requires a heightened safety system to prevent further tragedies. The nation is awaiting the outcome of the investigation in order to honour all those who died by implementing meaningful changes.