Death toll in Bangladesh warplane crash rises to 31, state mourning observed

POBNEWS24,Dhaka, July 22,2025 : A day of state mourning was observed across the country on Tuesday after a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crashed on the Milestone School and College campus in Uttara, the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka. The national flag was flown at half-mast in all government, semi-government, autonomous and educational institutions of the country. Special prayers were organized in all religious places of worship for the injured and deceased.
A fighter jet crashed on the campus of Milestone School and College in the capital’s Uttara area on Monday afternoon. In this tragic accident, 31 people including the pilot were killed and 171 others were injured till the time of writing this report. Doctors said that the death toll may rise further.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Monday that the fighter jet lost control and crashed into the school grounds due to a mechanical fault.
Meanwhile, a five-member high-level investigation committee has been formed to investigate the cause of the plane crash. The committee has been asked to submit its report within the next seven working days.
A press release sent by the office of Chief Advisor Dr. Mohammed. Yunus on Tuesday morning said that the government is providing all kinds of assistance to all those killed and injured in the tragic accident at Milestone School and College. The names and identities of each of the deceased are being verified and listed. The bodies that cannot be identified are being identified through DNA tests.
In addition, maximum measures have been taken to provide proper treatment to the injured in this incident in some hospitals in Dhaka. We are observing with concern that propaganda is being spread by claiming that information about casualties is being concealed from various quarters. We would like to state very firmly that this claim is not correct.
Meanwhile, India has expressed interest in providing all possible assistance in the treatment of those injured in the plane crash. In the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s condolence message, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka officially conveyed this interest in a letter to the Bangladesh government on Tuesday. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka confirmed the matter. However, no response from Bangladesh was received till the time of writing this report.
On the other hand, thousands of students gathered in front of the Secretariat demanding justice for those killed in the plane crash and the resignation of Education Advisor CR Abrar in protest against the postponement of the HSC exam at 3 am after a day of delay. At one point, the students broke through gate number one of the Secretariat and entered the building and vandalized it, leading to police baton-charge on them. Several students were injured on the spot. As the students blocked the road, traffic on both sides of the Secretariat was stopped since noon. Law enforcement officers lathi-charged, stun grenades and threw tear gas shells to remove the students from the main road of the Secretariat, and traffic has returned to normal. At noon, two government advisors, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and students faced resistance at Diabari Milestone School and College.
After being blocked for 9 hours, Legal Advisor Asif Nazrul, Education Advisor CR Abrar and Chief Advisor Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam left the college premises. They left the college premises at 7:30 pm on Tuesday with the help of law enforcement. Students have also protested in various districts across the country demanding justice for those killed in the warplane crash. There have also been incidents of arson in Dhaka. Students protested in front of the Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Boards in the afternoon. Protests were also held in Rajshahi, Khulna, Chittagong and Barisal. Students have taken to the streets of Sylhet. They marched on the streets of Sylhet in support of the students protesting in Dhaka demanding the resignation of the Education Advisor.
Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Education Siddiq Jobayer has been withdrawn in the face of the students’ protest.
Information Advisor Mahfuz Alam confirmed this information in a post on his Facebook at around 4 pm on Tuesday.
The advisor wrote on Facebook, ‘A committee is being formed soon to fully investigate the Milestone tragedy. The investigation committee will be formed by coordinating the six-point demands of the students. The education secretary has already been removed. The government is responsible for accepting any fair demand.’
Meanwhile, specialist doctors, nurses and some specialized equipment for treating burn patients are being sent from India to Dhaka to treat and help the injured.
An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that this step was finalized based on discussions between the foreign ministries of the two countries. Two specialist doctors who have long experience working in burn units will reach Dhaka on Tuesday along with a small team of nurses.