Dhaka, Bangladesh (Agencies) – 21 July 2025: A Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) F0-7 BGI training aircraft crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Uttara, Dhaka, on Monday afternoon, killing at least Sixteen persons and injuring over hundred, including students and staff. The incident occurred around 1:30 PM local time, triggering a massive fire and widespread panic.
The jet struck the canteen area during lunchtime, when the school was crowded. At least 100 people, many of them children, sustained burn injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals. Emergency responders, including eight fire service units and Bangladesh Army personnel, conducted swift rescue operations.
The jet had taken off at 1:06 PM local time and crashed roughly twelve minutes later. Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud explosion followed by thick smoke and flames engulfing the building.
The F-7 BGI is a Chinese-made fighter jet developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation as an advanced variant of the J-7, itself a derivative of the Soviet MiG-21. Bangladesh acquired 16 units between 2011 and 2013 to modernize its fleet. Key features of the F-7 BGI include a top speed of Mach 2.2 with an engine producing 82 kN of thrust, full glass cockpit with multi-functional HUDs and HOTAS controls, KLJ-6F fire control radar with an 86 km detection range capable of tracking six targets and engaging two simultaneously, and weapon compatibility with PL-series air-to-air missiles, unguided rockets, and laser-guided bombs. It is designed with a double-delta wing for enhanced maneuverability and lift at high angles of attack. However, despite its upgrades, the aircraft lacks true beyond-visual-range capabilities and has a relatively high accident rate due to aging components and limited automation.
Fire official Lima Khanam confirmed one fatality and multiple injuries. Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport authorities acknowledged the crash but withheld details on the pilot’s condition. The Bangladesh Air Force has launched a formal investigation into the cause, which may include technical failure or pilot error.
The incident has reignited debate over the safety of legacy aircraft in regional military fleets, prompting calls from aviation experts for renewed attention to fleet modernization and pilot training protocols.