Milestone Jet Crash Death Toll Rises to 34 with Student’s Passing

The tragic Bangladesh Air Force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Diabari has claimed 34 lives, with the latest reported death being that of 14-year-old Sahil Farabi Ayan. The seventh-grade student from the school’s English Medium section succumbed to his injuries around 1:45 am on Monday, 28 July, at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Dr. Shawon Bin Rahman, the institute’s resident surgeon, confirmed Sahil’s death, stating, “He passed away while on life support. His body had 40 percent burns, including damage to his windpipe, and he was under intensive care.” Sahil, the son of Mohammad Ali Mahmud and Tamanna, lived with his family in Mirpur’s Manipur area. His death contributes to the 18 fatalities recorded at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, with one additional death reported at Dhaka Medical College’s burn unit, as per hospital records.

The incident occurred on 21 July when an F-7 BGI fighter jet crashed into the school’s Haider Ali Building shortly after takeoff from BAF Base Bir Uttom AK Khandker at 1:06 pm due to a technical malfunction. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam Sagar, attempted to steer the jet toward a less populated area but died from his injuries at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH). The crash, the deadliest military aviation disaster in Bangladesh’s history, sparked a massive fire, killing 30 students, two teachers, and one staff member, identified as Masuma, 38.

The Ministry of Health had revised the death toll to 33 after identifying 14 bodies in 15 body bags at the CMH and confirming duplicate reporting at Lubana Hospital and United Hospital. Sahil’s death brings the total to 34, aligning with the latest official count, though initial reports suggested a higher figure due to overlapping hospital records.

Currently, 34 patients with burns and other injuries remain under treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, 11 at the CMH, and one at the National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital. International medical teams from China, India, and Singapore are assisting in treating burn victims. Academic activities at Milestone’s main and Diabari campuses remain suspended until Monday, and a high-level Air Force investigation committee is probing the cause of the accident.