A Bangladesh Air Force F-7 aircraft crashed into Milestone College in Uttara, Dhaka, killing at least 19 and injuring 164. Rescue efforts continue as the nation mourns. Multiple hospitals are treating victims. Government declares state mourning. Social media flooded with condolences. Investigation underway to determine cause of the crash.
A Bangladesh Air Force F-7BGI training aircraft crashed into a building on the campus of Milestone School and College in Uttara’s Diabari area around 1:30 pm on Monday, causing a devastating loss of life and triggering a nationwide outpouring of grief.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the aircraft took off at 1:06 pm and crashed shortly after, hitting a building where coaching classes were in session. As per the latest official figures, 19 people have been confirmed dead, including the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam Sagar, and at least 164 others have been injured, many with severe burns.
Rescue operations were immediately launched by the Bangladesh Army and the Fire Service and Civil Defence. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos and panic as students and teachers were trapped inside the building. A physics teacher at the college said he personally carried an injured student to safety and witnessed several others with severe burn injuries.
Students of Milestone College, some as young as eight, were among the casualties. Tanvir Ahmed, a student of Class 8, and Junayet Hasan of Class 3 were among those confirmed dead at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. One person also died during treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, which has received over 70 injured patients.
Other injured individuals were taken to various hospitals, including Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Lubna General Hospital, Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital, Kurmitola General Hospital, and Crescent Hospital. Many victims are being treated for critical burn injuries. At CMH alone, 14 people were admitted and 11 deaths have been confirmed. Special emergency teams have been mobilized across hospitals to handle the overwhelming number of casualties.
In light of the tragic incident, the Bangladesh government has declared a one-day state mourning, to be observed on Tuesday. National flags will be flown at half-mast across all government, semi-government, and autonomous institutions, including educational establishments. Special prayers will be held at religious sites nationwide for the deceased and the injured.
To assist the rescue and law enforcement efforts, three platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in Uttara. Additionally, one metro rail coach was allocated to transport injured victims swiftly to hospitals.
An emergency hotline (01949-043697) has been set up at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery for inquiries regarding the injured.
Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and pledged that necessary investigations would be carried out to determine the cause of the crash. “The loss suffered by the Air Force, students, parents, teachers, and staff is irreparable,” he said.
Public reaction has been one of shock and immense sorrow. Celebrities, public figures, and ordinary citizens have taken to social media to express condolences and mobilize aid. Actress Apu Biswas, singer Elita Karim, filmmaker Sunny Sanwar, and actor Ziaul Faruq Apurba were among those who appealed for blood donations and requested people not to share disturbing images of the victims.
Elita Karim is actively coordinating with volunteers and donors to arrange for emergency blood supplies. Actress Shobnom Bubly urged citizens not to crowd the accident site, while actor Shakib Khan and others extended prayers for those affected.
Filmmaker Chayanika Chowdhury and actor Khairul Basar also urged people to be respectful and avoid photographing or interrogating distressed parents and children.
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The crash has prompted urgent questions about the safety of Air Force training flights over populated urban areas, especially during school hours. While rescue operations continue and authorities begin formal investigations, the nation remains in mourning for the innocent lives lost in one of the most tragic air crashes in recent memory.
