Dhaka, Bangladesh — A tragedy unfolded on Monday afternoon when a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed into Milestone School and College in the Uttara neighborhood of Dhaka, killing 27 people, including Flight Lt. Mohammed Toukir Islam and numerous students, in what is now one of the deadliest plane crashes in the capital in recent memory.
The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from the A.K. Khandaker Air Force Base, around 1:06 p.m. local time. According to a statement from the Bangladesh military, the aircraft suffered a technical malfunction, prompting the pilot to attempt a diversion toward a less populated area. Despite his efforts, the plane crashed into the two-story school building, erupting into flames and sending plumes of smoke across the dense residential area.
Rescue operations began immediately, with firefighters, police, and civilians working together to pull students and staff from the burning building. More than 171 individuals were rescued—many with severe burns. Emergency crews used helicopters, ambulances, rickshaws, and in some cases, their own arms to evacuate victims.
Among the victims was Maherin Chowdhury, a teacher hailed for rescuing over 20 students before succumbing to her own injuries. Her colleague, Tanzina Tanu, confirmed her death, calling it an act of “unmatched courage and love.”
By Tuesday morning, 78 people, primarily students aged 12 to 16, remained hospitalized—many in critical condition at the specialized burn unit in Dhaka. At least seven victims succumbed to their injuries overnight after the initial 20 fatalities were reported. Some bodies were so badly burned that DNA testing has been ordered for identification.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared a national day of mourning, with flags flying at half-staff across government buildings. Interim national leader Muhammad Yunus expressed profound sorrow, calling it a “moment of deep national grief.” In a show of regional solidarity, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his condolences, stating, “India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to offer all possible assistance.”
Emotional scenes played out across local hospitals and the crash site. Parents and relatives, overwhelmed with grief and fear, searched frantically for missing children. One father, Jewel, shared that his daughter narrowly escaped the crash, though others around her did not. “When I arrived, all I saw was fire… a child’s body,” he said, struggling to find words.
Eyewitnesses described the chaos and horror. Estiak Elahi Khan, an 11th-grade student, said, “We fought through the crowd and soldiers to reach the site. What I saw—burning bodies, debris, smoke—I can never forget.”
The school, home to nearly 2,000 students, now stands partially destroyed. Survivors, including Rafiqa Taha, a student who was absent during the crash, watched the aftermath unfold on TV. “It’s my school… I was terrified,” she said.
In an emotional tribute, 17-year-old footballer Mosammat Sagorika, who scored four goals against Nepal on the same day, dedicated the victory to the crash victims: “We are heartbroken. This win is for them.”
A formal investigation is now underway by the military and civil aviation authorities to determine the exact cause of the malfunction. The incident mirrors a 2008 crash involving a similar aircraft model outside Dhaka, also resulting in the pilot’s death.
A blood donation camp has been set up at the Dhaka Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, where the majority of the injured are being treated. Families of the deceased have begun receiving the remains of loved ones—many of whom are yet to be formally identified.
