Uttara Plane Crash Update: Death Toll Rises to 19, Over 100 Injured

Jul 21, 2025
Bangladesh

**Photo: Nine units of the Fire Service conducting rescue operations (Source: BBC News Bangla)

At least 19 people have been confirmed dead and more than 100 injured after a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed in the Diabari area of Uttara, Dhaka.

The aircraft took off from Kurmitola Air Base at 1:06 PM on Monday (July 21). Within minutes, it crashed onto the roof of the canteen at the Haidar Hall building of Milestone School and College. The crash caused an immediate explosion and fire, spreading panic across the area.

According to Fire Service officials, the crash occurred at 1:18 PM. Students, teachers, parents, and local residents were left in shock, and the entire area was filled with screams and chaos.

Brigadier General Mohammad Zahid Kamal, Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, said at the scene:

“Nine fire service units and six ambulances are conducting rescue operations. So far, we have confirmed 19 deaths.”

The Bangladesh Armed Forces and fire service teams launched a joint rescue operation soon after the incident. Injured victims were quickly airlifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and other nearby hospitals using army helicopters.

Flight Lieutenant Tawkir Islam Sagar, the pilot of the aircraft, was severely burned and taken to CMH, where he died around 4 PM.

Following the incident, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Army Chief General Waqar Uz-Zaman, and leaders of various political parties visited the crash site.