What Caused the Tragic Bangladesh Air Force Jet Crash in Dhaka?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 19 fatalities, mainly children, due to the crash.
- Approximately 164 injured individuals requiring medical attention.
- Crash involved a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training aircraft.
- Emergency services swiftly mobilized for rescue efforts.
- Incident raises urgent questions regarding air safety measures.
Dhaka, July 21 (NationPress) Tragically, 19 individuals, with a significant number being children, lost their lives and approximately 164 others sustained injuries when a training aircraft from the Bangladesh Air Force collided with a school structure in Dhaka's capital on Monday afternoon.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the communication arm of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, confirmed that the pilot of the training aircraft was among the 19 fatalities.
As reported by the ISPR, the F-7 BGI training jet took off at 1:06 PM local time, crashing into the Milestone School and College building in Uttara around 1:30 PM.
Brigadier General Mohammad Zahed Kamal, the Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence, stated, "As you are aware, an F-7 BJI fighter aircraft of the Air Force crashed into the two-story building of our Milestone School and College's Uttara branch at approximately 1:00 PM. The first floor housed classes for third and fourth graders, while the second floor held classes for second and fifth graders, in addition to a meeting room adjacent to the principal's office where a coaching class was ongoing."
A teacher from Milestone College recounted to 'The Daily Star' that he was positioned near the college building when the aircraft struck the front of the three-story school, ensnaring numerous students.
"Faculty and staff members promptly rushed to assist the trapped students. Shortly thereafter, army personnel arrived, followed by firefighters who joined the rescue efforts," the newspaper reported.
According to a fire service announcement, members of the Bangladesh Army and eight fire engines from the Fire Service and Civil Defence were dispatched to the scene to initiate rescue operations.
Additionally, Dhaka Tribune indicated that fire service units from Uttara, Tongi, Pallabi, Kurmitola, Mirpur, and Purbachal were actively engaged at the site.
"Videos circulating on social media depict numerous individuals being rescued, many with injuries, and they were transported to various medical facilities, including Uttara Adhunik Hospital, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Kurmitola General Hospital, Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, Uttara Women’s Medical College, and Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College Hospital," the newspaper further reported.