FT-7 BGI fighter jet crashes due to mechanical failure: ISPR

The Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) has confirmed that the training aircraft crashed in the Diabari area of Uttara, Dhaka, due to a mechanical failure. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md Towkir Islam, attempted to divert the plane from the densely populated area to a less crowded one to avoid major damage, but was unsuccessful, according to the ISPR.

In an official statement, ISPR confirmed that the crashed aircraft was an FT-7 BGI fighter jet of the Bangladesh Air Force. The jet had taken off from the Bangladesh Air Force base in Kurmitola, Dhaka, as part of a regular training session at 1:06pm on Monday (July 21), but crashed shortly after takeoff.

The Fire Service was informed of the crash at 1:08pm. The ISPR and Fire Service reported that at least 19 people, including the pilot, have died, and at least 164 people were injured. Most of the injured and deceased are children from the Milestone School.

ISPR further said, "To avoid a major disaster, the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Mohammad Towkir Islam, made every effort to move the plane away from the densely populated area to a less populated area. Unfortunately, the plane crashed into a two-story building of Milestone School and College in Diabari, Dhaka."

ISPR also confirmed that all the injured are being rapidly transferred to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and nearby hospitals with the help of the Air Force's helicopters and ambulances for urgent treatment. The Bangladesh Air Force expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and is fully engaged in providing medical assistance and other support. As the Chief of the Air Force is currently abroad on an official visit, senior officers, including the Assistant Chief (Administration), and rescue teams are present at the accident site.

The Army Chief, Principal Staff Officer, senior officials from the Armed Forces Division, and other government officials were also present. The Army, Air Force, Police, RAB, and Fire Service are actively working to carry out rescue operations and manage the situation.

The Bangladesh Air Force has formed a high-level investigation committee to determine the cause of the crash, as stated in the ISPR release.