Fighter Jet Crashes into School Building in Bangladesh: At Least 20 Dead, Over 150 Injured

Dhaka, Bangladesh – A Bangladesh Air Force training fighter jet crashed into a school building in the Uttara area of Dhaka on Monday afternoon, killing at least 21 people and injuring more than 150 others. The deceased include the aircraft’s pilot, school teachers, parents, and several young students. Officials have warned that the death toll may rise.

The tragic incident occurred at around 1:15 PM when the Chinese-made FT-7BGI fighter jet crashed into a two-story building of Milestone School and College in Diabari, Uttara, just 12 minutes after taking off at 1:06 PM from the Bangabandhu Air Base (formerly Kurmitola Air Base) in Dhaka.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate confirmed in a statement that the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md. Tawkir Islam, made all possible attempts to avoid crashing in a populated area. However, due to a mechanical failure, the aircraft lost control and ultimately crashed into the school premises, resulting in a devastating loss of life.

In response to the tragedy, the Government of Bangladesh has declared a day of national mourning on Tuesday, July 22.

Dr. Shawon Bin Rahman, a resident surgeon at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, reported that more than 50 burn victims—most of them schoolchildren—have been admitted to the hospital. Many of the injured are in critical condition.

About the F7BGI Fighter Jet

What We Know About the Chinese-Made F-7 BGI Fighter Jet

Following the recent crash, there has been renewed discussion surrounding the Chinese-made F-7 BGI fighter jet, known for being relatively cost-effective. Dhaka Post has looked into the aircraft’s capabilities, the year it was inducted into the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), and its key features.

The F-7 BGI is a lightweight, multi-role combat aircraft capable of conducting various missions and providing advanced training. It is manufactured by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), a Chinese company specializing in aircraft and aerospace component design and production. This particular model was specially customized by Chengdu to meet the operational requirements of the Bangladesh Air Force.

The jet involved in the recent crash is a modern version of Chengdu’s F-7 series, which itself is based on the Soviet-era MiG-21 design. Globally, the F-7 is considered an older, somewhat outdated aircraft, but it remains affordable compared to many modern fighter jets.

The F-7 BGI serves mainly for pilot training and plays a limited role during wartime operations. In 2013, China exported 16 of these aircraft to Bangladesh in what would become the final delivery of this model. Since then, China has discontinued production of the F-7 series altogether.