Students shout slogans during a protest near secretariat against the crash of a Bangladesh air force training jet into a school, demanding accountability, compensation for victims’ families and the halt of training flights, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
A devastating air force jet crash into a school building in Dhaka has triggered mass protests and national mourning in Bangladesh. On Monday, a Chinese-made F-7 BGI training aircraft slammed into Milestone School and College in Uttara, killing 31 people—most of them students.
Chaos Erupts After Tragedy
Hundreds of students hit the streets on Tuesday, demanding justice, safety reforms, and accountability. Anger erupted outside the crash site and spread across parts of Dhaka, shutting down traffic and disrupting daily life. Protesters insisted on immediate compensation for victims’ families and a full stop to air force training flights over populated areas.
“Why are these outdated planes flying over our schools?” shouted one student. Others carried placards that read, “Our friends died. Who’s responsible?”
The protests echoed last year’s student-led unrest that forced the resignation of Bangladesh’s prime minister. The country is currently under an interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, ahead of elections next year.
Tragic Losses and Heroic Sacrifices
Of the 31 confirmed dead, at least 25 were students. One teacher, Maherin Chowdhury, died from burns she suffered while saving more than 20 students. The young pilot, Flight Lt. Mohammed Toukir Islam, also perished. It was his first solo flight.
Another 78 individuals—mostly students—remain hospitalized, many with critical injuries. A blood donation camp has been set up at a specialized burn hospital. Doctors fear some may not survive.
“Some bodies are so badly burned that DNA testing may be required for identification,” officials said.
Desperate Calls for Transparency
Students demanded the government publish the names of all the dead and injured. They also accused security forces of assaulting them and their teachers during Monday’s chaos.
A former student, speaking anonymously, said, “We just want the truth. How many died? Who’s being held responsible?”
The interim government said it has nothing to hide. It promised to coordinate with the military, which has launched an internal investigation. However, the Civil Aviation Authority was not involved, raising further questions.
Meanwhile, the High Court has ordered the formation of a technical committee to probe the crash independently.
Government Officials Face Student Fury
Tensions reached a boiling point when two senior advisers—Law Adviser Asif Nazrul and Education Adviser C.R. Abrar—visited the crash site. Students surrounded the officials, forcing them to take shelter inside the school for hours. Security personnel later escorted them out, but protests continued elsewhere in the capital.
At the Bangladesh Secretariat, a high-security government complex, angry students broke through barricades. Riot police used batons, tear gas, and stun grenades to disperse them. Jamuna TV reported at least 80 students injured in the clashes.
Students demanded Abrar’s resignation, blaming him for delaying the cancellation of public exams during the national mourning period. He has yet to address the accusation publicly.
Firsthand Horror of Survivors
“Five seconds after the deafening noise, the jet came down like thunder,” said Smriti, an 11th-grade student. “I saw flames. I saw lifeless bodies. Will they ever return to their parents?”
The crash has left Dhaka in shock. Many are still reeling from the scale of destruction and the haunting scenes inside the school.
A Jet with a Dark Record
The F-7 BGI aircraft took off at 1:06 p.m. on Monday from A.K. Khandaker Air Base. Moments later, it reported a technical malfunction. The military stated the pilot tried to steer the jet toward a less populated area but failed.
The school was just 11 kilometers away from the air base. The area is densely packed with homes, shops, and a metro station—making the crash all the more tragic.
This is the deadliest crash in Dhaka in recent years. A similar F-7 jet crash occurred in 2008, killing another pilot. The F-7 BGI is a modern variant of the Chinese version of the Soviet MiG-21, acquired by Bangladesh in 2013.
Global Support and Medical Aid
India has offered to send burn specialists and nurses to assist Dhaka’s hospitals. While political ties between the two countries have cooled, humanitarian help is being prioritized.
As Bangladesh observes a day of mourning, the nation grieves not only the lives lost but the safety it once took for granted.
