BAF jet crash at Uttara school leaves 20 killed
Staff Reporter :
At least 20 people, including children and the pilot, lost their lives and more than 164 others were injured when a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) FT-7 BGI training aircraft crashed into Milestone School and College in the Diabari area of Uttara, Dhaka, on Monday afternoon.
The crash occurred just 12 minutes after the aircraft took off from BAF Base AK Khandaker at 1:06 pm during a routine training flight. The jet reportedly experienced a mechanical failure shortly after take-off.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Flight Lieutenant Md Towkir Islam, the pilot, made desperate efforts to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas in order to prevent a major catastrophe.
Despite these efforts, the plane crashed into a three-storey academic building while classes were in session.
The ISPR confirmed that a high-level Air Force investigation committee has been formed to determine the cause of the crash.
Fire Service and Civil Defence personnel at the scene recovered 19 bodies from the wreckage.
Eleven deceased have been taken to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), with others admitted to Kurmitola Hospital, the Burn Institute, Lubana Hospital, Uttara Modern Hospital, and Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Around 150 people sustained burn injuries, and 116 have so far been rescued.
School authorities reported the crash happened just moments after classes ended at 1:00 pm, with some students still waiting for their guardians.
“Our school operates from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. The classes had just finished and some students were waiting to be picked up when the plane suddenly crashed.
It all happened in the blink of an eye,” said Ismail, an administrative official at Milestone School and College.
Following the crash and subsequent fire, injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, many of which quickly became overwhelmed.
Over 50 critically burned patients were transferred to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka for emergency treatment.
A volunteer assisting at Dhaka Medical College Hospital told reporters that around 50 to 60 injured patients had been brought to the facility.
Rescue operations, supported by the Army, Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh, and nine fire service units from various stations, managed to control the fire by 2:25 pm and extinguish it fully by 2:45 pm. A total of 186 personnel took part in the efforts.
Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury was among the officials who rushed to the crash site. Ambulances transporting severely burned children and other victims were continuously seen leaving the scene.
Grieving parents gathered desperately outside the school, calling out names, weeping, and searching for their missing children. Many collapsed in shock, while others clung to photographs, hoping for signs of survival.
Some guardians informed reporters that several girls were trapped inside the school hostel, and rescue efforts were ongoing amid fears of further casualties in that area.
In the wake of the tragedy, the government declared a one-day state mourning on Tuesday.
The national flag will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private institutions, including Bangladesh missions abroad. Special prayers will be offered at mosques and places of worship for the deceased and injured.
Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus expressed profound sorrow over the incident.
Several cabinet advisers, including Dr Asif Nazrul (Law), Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan (Power), Adilur Rahman (Public Works), Dr AFM Khalid Hossain (Religious Affairs), and Faruk E Azam (Disaster Management), visited the Burn Institute to assess the condition of the injured and assured full government support.
The Chief Adviser’s office announced that identified victims’ bodies would be handed over promptly to their families, while those not immediately identified will be confirmed through DNA testing before release.
The public was urged to avoid unnecessary gatherings at hospitals to allow uninterrupted medical care.
An emergency contact number (01949043697) has been established at the Burn Institute to assist families.
Additional helplines include Military Rescue Brigade (01769024202), CMH Burn Unit (01769016019), CMH Emergency (01769013311), Milestone School Admin Officer (01814774132), Vice Principal (01771111766), and the national emergency number 999.
Authorities continue to call for blood donations and public assistance as rescue and recovery operations proceed.
The tragedy has deeply affected the nation, marking one of the deadliest air training accidents in recent memory.
Political parties including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and Nezam-e-Islam expressed their condolences.
BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said on Facebook, “We are heartbroken by the tragic aircraft crash at Milestone College.
No student should face such horror in institutions meant to nurture their learning, growth, and well-being.
My prayers are with the young souls affected, and I call on all BNP members to stand united in support.”
Jamaat-e-Islami released a statement praying for the departed souls and speedy recovery of the injured, seeking mercy and blessings from Allah.
NCP senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adib urged the government to ensure proper medical care for the injured and adequate support for victims’ families.
He also called on authorities to reconsider allowing aircraft training in densely populated residential areas.
The nation mourns as recovery and investigations continue into this devastating accident.