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The Star
23-07-2025
- The Star
Day of mourning and anger
In the aftermath: A Bangladesh air force member inspecting the crash site a day after a training jet crashed into a school in Dhaka. — AFP Hundreds of students protested near the site of the crash of a Bangladesh air force training jet into a school in the nation's capital, demanding accountability, compensation for victims' families and the halt of training flights. The death toll from the crash rose to 31 yesterday, including 25 students, a teacher who died from burn injuries she sustained while helping others get out of the burning building, and the pilot of the training aircraft. Firefighters further secured the scene of the crash in Dhaka's densely-populated Uttara neighbourhood while an investigation by the military was ongoing. The country's civil aviation authority was not involved in the investigation directly. Bangladesh, in shock after the crash involving its air force, marked yesterday as a national day of mourning, with the national flag flying at half-staff across the country. Monday's crash at the Milestone School and College caused a fire that left the two-story school building in Dhaka in flames. Officials said 171 people, mostly students and many with burns, were rescued and taken from the scene in helicopters, ambulances, motorised rickshaws and in the arms of firefighters and parents. The students protesting outside the crash site at the Milestone School and College demanded 'accurate' publication of identities of the dead and injured, compensation for the families, and an immediate halt to the use of 'outdated and unsafe' training aircraft by the Bangladesh air force. They chanted slogans and accused security officials of beating them and manhandling teachers on Monday. The students also became furious after two senior government advisers arrived at the scene, forcing the officials to take cover. The Chinese-made F-7 BGI training aircraft experienced a 'technical malfunction' moments after takeoff from the AK Khandaker air force base at 1.06pm local time on Monday, according to a statement from the military. The pilot, Flight Lt Mohammed Toukir Islam, made 'every effort to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas toward a more sparsely inhabited location,' the military said, adding that it would investigate the cause of the crash. The Milestone school, about an 11km drive from the air force base, is in a densely populated area near a metro station and numerous shops and homes. It was the pilot's first solo flight as he was completing his training course. It is the deadliest plane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory. In 2008, another F-7 training jet crashed outside Dhaka, killing its pilot, who had ejected after he discovered a technical problem. — AP
Al-Ahram Weekly
22-07-2025
- General
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt condoles Bangladesh over victims of deadly Dhaka plane crash - Foreign Affairs
Egypt has extended condolences to Bangladesh over a deadly Bangladesh Air Force aircraft crash at a school in the capital, Dhaka. On Monday afternoon, a Bangladesh training aircraft crashed into a school in Dhaka, killing the pilot and 26 other people, most of whom were students, officials said. In its statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed Egypt's solidarity with the people of Bangladesh in confronting the consequences of this tragic incident, sympathising with the victims' families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. The crash sparked a fire that left a two-story building in Dhaka smoldering. A total of 171 people—mostly students, many with burn injuries—were rescued and evacuated from the scene. Authorities initially confirmed 20 deaths, with seven more dying overnight from their injuries, raising the death toll to 27 by Tuesday morning. Doctors noted late Monday that around two dozen of the injured were still in critical condition. As of Tuesday, 78 people—most of them students—remained hospitalized. The pilot, Flight Lt. Mohammed Toukir Islam was on his solo flight as part of a training course when the crash occurred, with the military noting that he made every effort to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas. This marks the deadliest plane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory; in 2008, another F-7 training jet crashed outside Dhaka, killing the pilot after he ejected due to a technical malfunction. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Qatar Tribune
21-07-2025
- Qatar Tribune
20 killed as Bangladesh military jet crashes into Dhaka school
A Bangladesh air force training aircraft has crashed into a college and school campus in the capital Dhaka, killing 20 people including the pilot, the military said in a statement. The F-7 BGI aircraft crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College in Dhaka's Uttara neighbourhood at about 1pm (07:00 GMT) on Monday, when students were taking tests or attending regular classes. The pilot, Flight Lt. Mohammed Toukir Islam, made 'every effort to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas toward a more sparsely inhabited location,' the military said, adding that it would investigate the cause of the crash. It said 171 people were injured in the incident. Most of the injured were aged between eight and 14, said Mohammad Maruf Islam, joint director of Dhaka's National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute where many victims were treated. (Agencies) page 5
Global News
21-07-2025
- General
- Global News
Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashes into school, killing 20 in capital
A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a school in Dhaka, the capital, shortly after takeoff on Monday afternoon, catching fire and killing the pilot and at least 19 other people, most of whom were students, officials said. Another 171 students were rescued with injuries from a smoldering two-story building, officials said, including many with burns who were whisked away in helicopters, motorized rickshaws and the arms of firefighters and parents. The Chinese-made F-7 BGI training aircraft experienced a 'technical malfunction' moments after takeoff at 1:06 p.m. local time, and the pilot attempted to divert the plane to a less populated area before crashing into the campus of Milestone School and College, according to a statement from the military. Students said the school's buildings trembled violently, followed by a big explosion that sent them running for safety. A desperate scene soon unfolded at the crash site, as panicked relatives searched for loved ones. Screams filled the air at a nearby hospital. Story continues below advertisement The Milestone school is in Dhaka's Uttara neighborhood, which is roughly 11 kilometers (7 miles) drive from the A.K. Khandaker air force base. The school is in a densely populated area near a metro station and numerous shops and homes. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The pilot, Flight Lt. Mohammed Toukir Islam, made 'every effort to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas toward a more sparsely inhabited location,' the military said, adding that it would investigate the cause of the accident. It is the deadliest plane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory. In 2008, another F-7 training jet crashed outside Dhaka, killing its pilot, who had ejected after he discovered a technical problem. The government announced a national day of mourning on Tuesday, with flags to fly at half-staff across the country. At the crash site Monday afternoon, a father sprinted with his daughter cradled in his arms. A mother cried out, having found her younger child, but desperately searched for her older one. Another father described his feeling of helplessness while waiting to learn the fate of his daughter. 'The plane crashed on the building where my daughter was. My wife called me, but I was praying so I could not pick up,' Jewel, who goes by one name, said at the scene. 'When I came here I saw there was a huge fire. There was a dead body of a child.' Story continues below advertisement Luckily, his daughter was safe, he said, but he saw many other children suffering from burns. Students also scrambled to see what had happened. 'We fought with the crowd and the soldiers to get close to the crash site in our school,' said Estiak Elahi Khan, who is in the 11th grade. 'What I saw I can't describe that … that's terrible.' Doctors at Uttara Adhunik Hospital said more than 60 students, many between the ages of 12 and 16, were transferred to a special hospital for burn victims. By Monday evening, rescuers continued to scour the debris, searching for bodies. A crane was being used to remove debris. Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, also pledged an investigation, and he expressed his deep sorrow over the 'heartbreaking accident.' He called it 'a moment of deep national grief.' Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed shock and sadness. 'Our hearts go out to the bereaved families,' Modi said in a post on X. 'India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance.' Rafiqa Taha, a student who was not present at the time of the crash, said by phone that the school, with some 2,000 students, offers classes from elementary grades through high school. Story continues below advertisement 'I was terrified watching videos on TV,' the 16-year-old said. 'My God! It's my school.'
Time of India
21-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
China-made F-7 BGI jet under fire after Bangladesh crash — is this aircraft a safety risk?
A routine training flight went horribly wrong when a Bangladesh Air Force jet crashed into a school in Dhaka, leading to many casualties. The F-7 BGI jet, which was made in China, hit Milestone School and College soon after taking off. The terrible accident has brought back worries around the world about how safe these old fighter jets are. People are now questioning the safety of the Chinese-built planes because their designs are getting old and similar jets have crashed in many countries. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Management others healthcare Project Management Artificial Intelligence Others Technology MCA CXO Product Management Finance Degree Data Analytics Healthcare Design Thinking Data Science MBA Leadership Operations Management PGDM Data Science Public Policy Cybersecurity Digital Marketing Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK General Management Programme India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 Months IIM Calcutta CERT-IIMC APSPM India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK GMPBE India Starts on undefined Get Details A Bangladesh Air Force aircraft went down in Dhaka on Monday, leaving the country in a state of tragedy. 19 people were killed and more than 100 injured when the plane struck a school campus in the Uttara neighborhood of Dhaka, as per a report by First Post. Around 1:00 pm, the Chinese-built F-7 BGI was on a regular training mission when it crashed, striking Milestone School and College in the Uttara neighborhood of Dhaka. Flight Lieutenant Mohammed Toukir Islam, the pilot, was killed. When it went down, the F-7 BGI jet was engaged in a normal training flight. Around 1 pm, it struck Milestone School and College. At the moment, a number of students were present on campus. There are still rescue efforts happening, as per a report. Live Events The cause of the crash is being investigated, according to military officials and emergency personnel; however, witnesses claimed to have heard a loud noise emanating from the university grounds. What happened during the crash in Dhaka? Rescuers have retrieved 19 corpses from the school premises throughout the operation. The Health Ministry's special assistant to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced that 72 individuals were admitted to the hospital with burns and other ailments. Injured individuals, predominantly students, were receiving medical care at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (NIBPS). Eight of the injured individuals were in critical condition. The military ministry announced that the F-7 BGI training aircraft departed at 1:06 PM and subsequently crashed onto the college campus. Firefighting personnel, ambulances, and military helicopters promptly responded to the incident. A school teacher reported that security forces were placing corpses into body bags for transport to Dhaka's combined military hospital. Numerous ambulances transported the injured to adjacent hospitals. The National Burn Institute in the capital is treating 18 individuals, primarily students, with many in serious condition. The interim government has announced a one-day period of mourning on July 22, during which the national flag will be displayed at half-mast throughout Bangladesh and its diplomatic posts abroad, as quoted in a report by the First Post. What is the F-7 BGI and why is it controversial? The Chengdu family of Chinese aircraft includes the F-7 BGI. Chengdu Aircraft Corporation , owned by China, manufactures it. An updated version of China's Chengdu F-7, the F-7 BGI aircraft is part of Bangladesh's aging air force. The MiG-21 from the Soviet era is where it all began. It is frequently referred to as the "Grandpa fighter jet." The question of whether the ship was reverse-engineered by the Chinese or manufactured with assistance from Russia appears to be up for debate. ALSO READ: Microsoft servers rocked by massive Zero-Day hack - what is the exploit and who's behind the breach? It was especially made with the Bangladesh Air Force's (BAF) needs in mind. Many air forces, including the People's Liberation Army Air Force, continue to utilize the Chengdu J-7 fighter aircraft, which was produced between 1965 and 2013, mostly as an interceptor aircraft. The F-7 jet is still a workhorse in the Bangladesh Air Force despite being out of date by international standards. This is claimed because of its affordability and durability for light combat missions and pilot training. China supplied Bangladesh with the final batch of these aircraft in 2013, shortly after which its production line was shut down. Has the F-7 had problems in other countries too? The F-7 BGI's primary function in the Bangladesh Air Force is short-range aerial warfare and training, according to experts. But subsequent events, like a J-7 crash in Myanmar and another in Xiangyang, China, cast doubt on the caliber of Beijing's defense hardware. History of Chengdu J-7 crashes Over the course of its lengthy service history, the Chengdu J-7, also referred to by its export designation, F-7, has seen numerous crashes in the various air forces that have used it. Many instances involving pilot mistake, technical issues, and engine failures have been documented throughout the years. On June 10 of last month, a Myanmar AF Chengdu J-7 fighter plane crashed in Pale township, Safaing area, for unclear reasons. The People's Liberation Army either shot down the aircraft or it experienced a technical issue. A J-7 aircraft struck a residential structure in Xiangyang, a city in the Hubei Province of central China, earlier in 2022. However, the pilot of the downed aircraft landed close to the nearby airport after ejecting himself from the aircraft. Many air forces around the world, including those in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria, North Korea, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, operate the F-7 BGI as an interceptor aircraft. FAQs What caused the Bangladeshi fighter jet to crash? The cause is being investigated, but witnesses reported hearing a loud sound before impact. Which type of jet was involved in the crash? It was a Chinese-made F-7 BGI, an upgraded MiG-21.
