DHAKA – A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed onto the campus of Milestone School and College in northern Dhaka’s Uttara neighbourhood on Monday, resulting in at least one fatality and several injuries. Visuals from the scene depicted plumes of smoke rising from the crash site as the aircraft remained engulfed in flames.
The downed aircraft has been identified as an F-7 BGI, belonging to the Bangladesh Air Force, as confirmed in a brief statement by the Bangladesh Army’s public relations officer. The crash occurred around 1:06 PM local time while students were present on campus for classes.
Fire official Lima Khanam stated, as cited by The Associated Press, that “at least one person died and four others were injured,” though she did not provide further specific details. Local reports, however, suggest that at least 13 people, including students, were injured.
Emergency services, including fire and military rescue teams, quickly responded to the scene, working to secure the area and transport the injured to hospitals. Footage showed smoke billowing from the school building and some visibly injured individuals. Eyewitnesses reported the aircraft crashed near the school gate, on the roof of the canteen, causing chaos as personnel worked to evacuate the injured.
The F-7 BGI is a Chinese-made fighter aircraft, a license-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, primarily used by the Bangladesh Air Force for training missions. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.