A Bangladesh air force training jet crashed into a college campus in Dhaka on Monday, killing at least 19 and injuring 164. The F-7 BGI aircraft experienced a technical issue shortly after takeoff, leading to the crash into a two-story building of Milestone School and College. The pilot was among the casualties, and an investigation committee has been formed to determine the cause of the incident.
Videos of the aftermath of the crash showed a big fire near a lawn emitting a thick plume of smoke into the sky, as crowds watched from a distance. Firefighters sprayed water on the mangled remains of the plane, which appeared to have rammed into the side of a building, damaging iron grills and creating a gaping hole in the structure, footage filmed by Reuters showed.
The incident comes a little over a month after an Air India plane crashed on top of a medical college hostel in neighboring India’s Ahmedabad city, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 on the ground, marking the world’s worst aviation disaster in a decade.
“A third-grade student was brought in dead, and three others, aged 12, 14 and 40, were admitted to the hospital,” said Bidhan Sarker, head of the burn unit at the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, where some victims were taken. Images from the scene also showed people screaming and crying as others tried to comfort them.
“When I was picking (up) my kids and went to the gate, I realized something came from behind … I heard an explosion. When I looked back, I only saw fire and smoke,” said Masud Tarik, a teacher at the school.
The F-7 BGI is the final and most advanced variant in China’s Chengdu J-7/F-7 aircraft family, according to Jane’s Information Group. Bangladesh signed a contract for 16 aircraft in 2011 and deliveries were completed by 2013. The Chengdu F-7 is the license-built version of the Soviet MiG-21.
The crash has sparked outrage and calls for greater safety measures in military aviation. Families of the victims have expressed deep grief and are demanding accountability and transparency from the Bangladesh Air Force. The situation has also raised concerns about the safety of military operations near populated areas, prompting discussions on whether the location of the air base should be reconsidered.
Following the incident, the military has pledged to review its protocols and ensure that such tragedies do not occur in the future. In the meantime, the victims’ families are being supported by local authorities, and a committee has been formed to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. The findings of this inquiry will be crucial in understanding the circumstances that led to this tragic event and in taking appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The tragedy has also highlighted the human cost of military aviation accidents, with many mourning the lives lost and the impact on the community. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on providing support to the victims and their families and on making necessary changes to enhance safety in military operations.