Dozens Killed as a Bangladesh Air Force Fighter Chinese-Built Jet Crashes Over School
A Bangladesh Air Force F-7BGI fighter jet crashes into a Dhaka school, causing dozens of casualties. The investigation into the incident is underway.
A F-7BGI combat trainer jet belonging to the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) crashed today over an educational institution in a densely populated area of the capital, Dhaka, causing the deaths of at least 19 people and injuring over 160 others.
The accident occurred at approximately 13:06 local time. The aircraft struck the Milestone School and College building in the Uttara neighborhood shortly after taking off from the nearby Kurmitola Air Base. The impact triggered a major fire, complicating rescue efforts.
Many of the injured were students who were attending classes or taking exams at the time of the tragedy. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes, with emergency teams and civilians using all available means, including traditional rickshaws, to evacuate victims to the nearest hospitals.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Dhaka Crash
What plane crashed in Dhaka? A Chengdu F-7BGI fighter trainer from the Bangladesh Air Force.
How many casualties were there in the accident? Initial reports confirm at least 19 fatalities and over 160 injuries.
What is the origin of the F-7BGI? It is a Chinese-made aircraft, derived from the Soviet MiG-21 fighter.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) directorate confirmed in a statement that the aircraft's pilot is among the deceased and that a committee of inquiry has been formed to determine the causes of the crash. Authorities have not yet released the official list of victims.
The Chengdu F-7BGI is a modernized variant for Bangladesh of the Chinese J-7 fighter, which is itself a copy of the iconic Soviet MiG-21. The BAF uses these aircraft for airspace defense and as an advanced training platform for its fighter pilots. Bangladesh's F-7 fleet has already recorded several accidents in recent years, raising questions about the operational status of these older generation aerial systems.
This event is the deadliest aviation accident in the city of Dhaka in recent memory, according to reports from local media, and it highlights the dangers associated with military air operations in proximity to large urban centers. The government of Bangladesh is considering declaring a day of national mourning.
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