Bangladesh fighter jet crash: Aircraft experienced ‘mechanical fault’; 27 killed, over 170 injured

At least 27 people, mostly students, were killed and over 170 others were injured after a Bangladeshi Air Force training fighter jet crashed into a school building in Dhaka shortly after takeoff on Monday (July 21).The F-7 BGI aircraft, a training fighter jet manufactured in China, experienced a “mechanical fault” shortly after takeoff and crashed into the Milestone School and College building at Diabari in Dhaka’s Uttara area, officials said.
The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Mohammad Towkir Islam, was killed in the crash.
“Twenty people, including Flight Lieutenant Toukir Islam, have so far been killed and 171 others injured in the crash,” according to an updated statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) – the media wing of the military.The jet took off from the Bangladesh Air Force Base AK Khandaker in Kurmitola at 01:06 pm as part of a regular training.

“All injured individuals are being promptly transported to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and nearby hospitals for necessary treatment, with assistance from Air Force helicopters and ambulances,” it said.

The ISPR statement read that a high-level investigation committee has been formed by the Bangladesh Air Force to determine the cause of the accident.Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed shock and sorrow over the casualties caused by the crash.

“I am deeply saddened by the casualties caused by the heartbreaking accident involving a Bangladesh Air Force jet at the Milestone School and College campus,” he said in a statement.

Fahim Hossain, an eleventh-grade student, told PTI that the jet crashed right in front of his eyes – just 10 feet ahead of him. “It hit the ground floor of a two-storey building around 1:15 pm, where classes for the primary section were taking place,” Fahim told The Daily Star.

The plane crashed in front of the classrooms used by class 3 and class 4 students.

A teacher, who was injured in the incident, told PTI that said students were lining up to leave the school just as the final bell rang when the flames erupted.

“There was no warning. Before we even understood what was happening, there were flames all around. Visibility dropped instantly. All I could see was fire, then smoke,” the teacher said. “Both of my hands were burnt. I’m also experiencing breathing difficulties, and my face and ears are scorched.”

Witnesses said many wounded people were carried away by spontaneous volunteers and army troops from the crash site, even in rickshaws and tricycle vans.