Tragic accident on Dhaka School campus. Air Force training aircraft crashed just after takeoff, causing the death of at least 19 people and wounding more than 170. This is one of the most tragic air disasters of recent years in Bangladesh.
What happened on campus?
On Monday afternoon, the Chinese F-7 BGI training aircraft, owned by the Bangladesh Air Force, crashed at Milestone School and College in the Uttara district of Dhaka. The machine launched from AK Khandaker Air Base, but after a few minutes the pilot reported a technical problem. Although he tried to steer the machine away from densely built areas, the plane hit a two-story building where school activities continued.
Balance of victims
Military training aircraft hits Bangladesh School campus, killing 18 people
*According to current information, the number of dead is 19.
According to military reports and emergency services:
- At least 19 people died, including the pilot and students present in the building.
- As many as 171 people were injured, mainly due to burns and mechanical injuries.
- More than 50 victims were transported to burn treatment institutes and the largest capital hospitals.
- Some of the wounded fight for life in a heavy state.
Emergency action and response of authorities
Emergency services, troops, police units, and the elite Rapid Action Battalion immediately appeared. Several ambulances and military helicopters helped. The most severely injured were transported to a military hospital and specialist centres in Dhaka.
The Bangladeshi authorities announced a national day of mourning and the state flags were lowered to half the mast. Muhammad Yunus' head of government promised a quick investigation and support to the families of the victims.
What did the crash scene look like?
Witnesses describe the fire on the campus just after the crash, and students were evacuated through the broken windows of the building. Parents in panic sought out their children among a crowd of wounded and evacuated. Several people were even rescued on bicycle rickshaws, using everything at hand.
Cause of the disaster – what do we already know?
Preliminary findings indicate a technical failure of F-7 BGI, which is considered to be a modern but highly technically demanding training model. Experts stress that Bangladesh purchased 16 such aircraft and has been intensively operating them since 2013.
The military has set up a special committee to investigate the causes of the tragedy. They draw attention to the heroic attempt of the pilot to avoid even more casualties by directing the machine to a less populated area.
