HT DIGITAL
GUWAHATI, JULY 22: In a tragic accident on Monday afternoon, a Bangladesh Air Force training fighter aircraft crashed into the Milestone School and College complex in the Diabari area in Uttara, Dhaka, and claimed 19 lives while injuring at least 164. Those who lost their lives included the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam.
As reported by an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, the FT-7 BGI aircraft was hit with a technical problem just after taking off from Bangladesh Air Force Base AK Khandaker in Kurmitola at 1:06 PM. The plane was on a routine training mission when the problem occurred.
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In spite of the technical malfunctioning, the pilot took a heroic attempt to steer the plane away from populated areas in order to reduce casualties. But the aircraft eventually went crashing into a two-story Milestone School and College building with a devastating result. Regular classes and coaching sessions were being conducted at the time of the crash, increasing the high number of casualties, many of whom are said to be students and employees.
Emergency response teams, comprising members of the Bangladesh Army, Air Force, Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Fire Service, moved quickly to the scene. Rescue efforts have been ongoing since the crash, with helicopters and ambulances ferrying the wounded to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and other medical centers in the vicinity.
The Air Force was deeply saddened by the tragedy and ensured that every possible help, including emergency medical treatment, is being made available to the victims. As the Air Force Chief is presently out of the country on an official tour, Assistant Air Chief (Administration) is supervising the relief and rescue operations along with top officials of the Armed Forces Division and other government agencies.
To probe the reason behind the crash, the Bangladesh Air Force has formed a high-level probe committee. Although preliminary evidence indicates a technical failure, full details will be released once the committee’s report comes out. The authorities have assured total openness and pledged their support to the kin of the victims.
The accident has reignited controversy over the safety of military training flights flown over populated urban centers. The fact that senior civil and military leaders attended the scene of the accident underscored the gravity of the accident and the government’s determination to act strongly.
To pay tribute to the victims, the government has announced Tuesday as a day of national mourning. Flags will be flown at half-mast in all government, semi-government, and autonomous entities, including schools and diplomatic missions overseas. Special prayers will also be offered across the country for the dead and injured.
