Members of the Bangladesh Army and the fire service start rescue operations after the plane crash in Dhaka on July 21, 2025. Credit – Abdul Goni—Getty Images
A Bangladesh Air Force plane crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in the capital of Dhaka on Monday, with at least 19 deaths reported so far, according to the military. The pilots are among the deceased.
A F-7 BGI aircraft took off from the AK Khandar Air Force base at 1:06 p.m., local time, crashing soon after in the Uttara district in northern Dhaka, where students were attending classes and taking tests.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the public relations sector of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, said that more than 160 others had been injured in the crash. The injured, many of whom have encountered burns, have been taken to nearby hospitals.
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has expressed “deep grief and sorrow” over the incident.
“The loss suffered by the Air Force, the students, parents, teachers, and staff of Milestone School and College, as well as others affected by this accident, is irreparable. This is a moment of profound pain for the nation,” he said via X. “I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and direct all concerned authorities, including hospitals, to address the situation with the utmost priority.”
The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, although the ISPR has said that the plane “faced technical errors.” Per the ISPR, a high-level investigation committee has already been established to look into the incident.
The Bangladesh Air Force is “deeply shocked” and is willing to fully cooperate to support victims. The Army, Air Force, local police, and firefighters are all providing assistance at the scene and beyond.
On Monday, authorities established an emergency number to help organize blood donations at nearby hospitals.
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Rafiqa Taha, a student of the college who was not present at the time of the crash, told the Associated Press that she was “terrified” as she watched reports of the incident unfold on TV.
This is a developing story and will be updated
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