On July 21, 2025, a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI trainer jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Uttara, northern Dhaka, just after takeoff from A.K. Khandker Air Force Base, sparking widespread grief and reflection The Washington PostTIMEThe Economic Times.
The Crash Unfolded
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The single-seat F-7 jet suffered a mechanical failure seconds after liftoff. The pilot, Flight Lt. Towkir Islam Sagar, attempted to steer the plane away from residential and academic buildings, but tragically, it struck the school during class hours The Washington PostReutersThe Economic TimesWikipediaAl Jazeera.
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The crash ignited a devastating inferno, engulfing parts of the building and causing massive casualties The Washington PostReutersTIMEThe Daily BeastThe Economic TimesWikipedia.
The Human Toll
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According to the most comprehensive figures, at least 35 lives were lost—including 32 students, two teachers, and the pilot—and approximately 173 people were injured, many suffering severe burns Wikipedia.
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Maherin Chowdhury, a 46-year-old English teacher at the school, displayed remarkable courage. Repeatedly entering burning classrooms to rescue children, she ultimately perished from her injuries—her heroism likely saved more than 20 students Reuters.
Aftermath and Response
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The nation declared a day of mourning, and a high-level investigation was launched to determine the cause of the crash and prevent such disasters in the future The Economic Times+1The Washington PostTIMEWikipediaThe Daily Beast.
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The tragedy has reignited scrutiny of the air force’s use of aging F-7 aircraft, originally based on Soviet-era MiG-21s, whose continued deployment raises concerns about safety and modernization in Bangladesh’s defense procurement The Economic Times+1WikipediaThe Daily Beast.
Reflection
This devastating event is one of the deadliest aviation accidents in recent Bangladeshi history. It underscores the human cost of outdated military hardware, the unforgiving nature of training flights over densely populated areas, and the heroic sacrifice of educators like Maherin Chowdhury.
As Bangladesh mourns, the hope endures that this tragedy will catalyze meaningful reforms—honoring the memories of those lost by working to ensure such anguish is never repeated.