A Bangladeshi fighter jet crashed into the Milestone School and College in Dhaka, resulting in at least 31 fatalities. Pope Leo expressed his deep sadness and offered prayers for the victims and their families in a telegram. The crash is the deadliest airplane incident in Dhaka in recent decades. The F-7 BGI jet, which took off from a nearby air base, crashed shortly after takeoff, causing a fire and injuring 171 people, primarily students. The pilot was among the deceased.
5 months ago
A Bangladeshi Air Force F-7 BGI fighter jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka's Uttara neighborhood, resulting in at least 31 fatalities and 171 injuries 1 2. The incident occurred on Monday, July 21, 2025, when the jet, a variant of a Chinese fighter, took off from Bangladesh Air Force Base A.K. Khandaker and crashed shortly after at 1:06 p.m. 1.
The pilot, who was reportedly on his first solo flight, was among the deceased 1 2. Many of the injured were students, suffering from burns 1. Initial reports suggest that approximately 25 of the 31 victims were children attending the school 2.
The military stated that the pilot attempted to avoid densely populated areas, but the jet still struck a two-story school building 1. The aircraft immediately caught fire upon impact 1. This event marks the deadliest airplane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in decades 1.
The cause of the crash has been attributed to a "technical malfunction," and a high-level Air Force committee has been established to investigate the incident 1.
Pope Leo XIV expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, extending his prayers and condolences to all affected 1 2. Through a telegram sent by the Holy See Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pope entrusted the deceased to "the merciful love of the Almighty" 1 2.
The message conveyed the Pope's prayers for the consolation of the families and friends of the victims, as well as for the healing and comfort of those injured 1 2. He invoked "divine blessings of peace and strength" upon the entire school community and all impacted by the tragedy 1 2.
In the wake of the disaster, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, was declared a national day of mourning in Dhaka 2. Protests erupted in the city, with demonstrators demanding accountability for the crash, a suspension of air force training flights, and compensation for the families of the victims 2.
How does the Church respond to human suffering and tragedy?
The Catholic Church addresses human suffering and tragedy by emphasizing its profound connection to the mystery of Christ's Passion and Resurrection . While suffering remains a mystery, it is not without meaning within the Christian tradition .
The Church's response can be understood through several key aspects:
The Church teaches that human suffering, when united with Christ's Passion, gains a redemptive and salvific meaning . Through Baptism, Christians are incorporated into Christ and share in the mystery of His Cross . This union allows suffering to become an act of love for the Father and a surrender to divine providence . Pope John Paul II stated that "each man, in his suffering, can also become a sharer in the redemptive suffering of Christ" .
Suffering is seen as an opportunity to deepen one's union with Jesus and to grow in His likeness . It is transformed from an experience of evil into a basis for definitive good, namely eternal salvation . Christ, through His suffering on the Cross, conquered sin and death, and He reveals the horizons of the Kingdom of God to those who suffer . This is referred to as the "Gospel of suffering," a message that in Christ's Passion, all human suffering has been redeemed and can become a witness to the hope and joy of the Resurrection .
Suffering, when borne with patience and love in union with Christ, can enrich the individual and the entire Church . It becomes an effective means of union with the Cross of Christ and an intercession through Christ and the Church . Christians are encouraged to offer their sufferings as a pleasing sacrifice to God, which can bring new life to others and benefit the Mystical Body of Christ . Saint Paul's words, "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his Body, that is, the Church," highlight this communal and redemptive aspect of suffering .
The Lord responds to human questioning about suffering not with abstract explanations, but with a call: "Follow me," "Come, with your suffering share in this work of salvation of the world, which is realized through my suffering, by means of my Cross" . This means that suffering is a special vocation grounded in love, inviting individuals to walk the way of the Cross with Christ, who suffered first and shares in human pain .
Christian hope lives even in suffering, and suffering itself can educate and fortify hope . While the Church acknowledges the need to alleviate suffering, it also teaches that suffering cannot be entirely eliminated due to the finiteness of human being and the power of evil and sin . The true dignity of the human person is revealed when suffering is accepted in union with Christ, showing a God who shares in human pain and will transform death into a future where "he will wipe away every tear" . It is not escape from suffering that cures, but the ability to accept tribulation and mature through it, finding meaning through union with Christ .
In conclusion, the Church responds to human suffering and tragedy by providing a theological framework that imbues it with profound meaning through its connection to Christ's redemptive work. It calls believers to unite their suffering with His, transforming it into a source of spiritual growth, intercession, and a powerful witness to the hope of the Resurrection.