The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) has revealed that a Bangladesh Air Force FT-7 BGI fighter jet, which crashed into a school building in Dhaka’s Diabari area on Monday, faced a mechanical failure shortly after takeoff.
According to a detailed statement from the ISPR, the aircraft took off from BAF Base Bangabandhu in Kurmitola at 1:06 PM on July 21 as part of a routine training exercise. Within minutes, the jet encountered technical issues—though the specific cause is still under investigation.
In a critical moment, Flight Lieutenant Md Tawqir Islam, the pilot of the aircraft, attempted to steer the plane away from densely populated areas to avoid mass casualties. His actions helped avert a potentially larger disaster. Unfortunately, the aircraft eventually crashed into a two-storey academic building of Milestone School and College, where classes were in session.
The crash left 19 people dead, including the pilot, and injured at least 164 others—many of whom were students. The Bangladesh Air Force, in collaboration with the Army, RAB, Police, and Fire Service, launched immediate rescue and evacuation efforts. Victims were transported to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and other nearby hospitals using both helicopters and ambulances.
ISPR stated that the Air Force is “deeply saddened” by the tragic incident and is working to provide all necessary medical and logistical support to the victims and their families. Although the Air Force Chief is currently abroad on an official visit, senior Air Force officials, including the Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Administration), were present at the crash site and are overseeing operations.
The Chief of Army Staff, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, and other top military and government officials also visited the location.
Rescue efforts continued into the evening as joint forces cleared debris and ensured no victims were trapped. The ISPR confirmed that a high-level investigation committee has been formed to determine the precise cause of the crash and assess any procedural lapses.
The Bangladesh Air Force emphasized that while training missions are essential, safety remains a top priority, and the findings of the investigation will be used to prevent such tragedies in the future.
