Foreign Leaders Mourn Bangladesh Military Jet Crash That Claimed At Least 20 Lives
Firefighters work to remove the wreckage from a building, after an air force training aircraft crashed into Milestone College campus, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
By Shakir Husain
NEW DELHI, July 21 (Bernama) -- Foreign leaders on Monday expressed shock and sorrow over the deadly crash of a Bangladesh military jet that killed at least 20 people, including schoolchildren, and injured more than 170.
India, Pakistan and the Maldives were among the nations that extended their condolences to Bangladesh in the aftermath of the tragedy.
bootstrap slideshow
The D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation mourned the deaths and expressed its solidarity with Bangladesh.
"We stand in solidarity with the government and the people of Bangladesh during this difficult time and extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims and all those affected by this heartbreaking incident. We also pray for the swift and full recovery of those who were injured," said the Istanbul-headquartered group of which Bangladesh is a member.
The Bangladesh Air Force's Chinese-made F-7 BGI fighter aircraft crashed into a building of Milestone School and College in Dhaka's Uttara area.
Among those who lost their lives was the plane's pilot, Flight Lieutenant Toukir Islam.
The aircraft crashed due to a mechanical fault a few minutes after taking off at 1.06 pm local time from the Bangladesh Air Force Base AK Khandaker in Kurmitola as part of a regular training, according to a military statement.
"Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. We pray for the swift recovery of those injured. India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
32 minutes ago
- Barnama
MCMC, Selangor Education Department Host Safe Internet Campaign Carnival
SHAH ALAM, July 26 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in collaboration with the Selangor State Education Department (JPN), hosted the 2025 Selangor Safe Internet Campaign (KIS) Carnival today at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Seksyen 9, Shah Alam. In a statement, MCMC said the carnival is part of a broader campaign to educate young people on online safety and cultivate an ethical and responsible digital identity from an early age in primary schools. 'A total of 12 primary schools, comprising 240 students and 24 teachers from around Shah Alam, participated in the event.
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Over 10,000 Catholics Attend Feast Of St Anne Night Procession
BUKIT MERTAJAM, July 26 (Bernama) -- Over 10,000 Catholics gathered at the Minor Basilica of Stn Anne here to mark the annual Feast of St Anne, the largest religious celebration of its kind in the country. The devotees had began gathering at the church grounds since early evening before Mass was held at 7 pm, followed by the procession featuring a float bearing the statue of St Anne and her daughter Mary, as the faithful thronged alongside, holding candles as they made their way out of Gate 3 at 8.30 pm. The annual procession, the highlight of the 10-day religious celebration that began on July 18, traversed the 1.6 kilometre route along Jalan Kulim, Jalan Kampung Baru and Jalan Berjaya before re-entering the church att Gate 1 at about 11 pm. R Thhivya Bharti, 32, who came with her husband Jevi Jensan, 32, and son J Ebenesh, eight, said they came to fulfill their vows after their prayers were answered. 'Last year my husband wasn't well so we came here to pray for his health and by the grace of God, he was healed. This year, we're here to fulfill our vows and pray for another child,' she shared. Factory supervisor, Diana Blomindas, 29, from Ipoh noted that this year's celebrations were more festive, with many stalls and even more visitors compared to previous years. She recounted how her parents had brought her here when she was a child and that they would never miss celebrating the Feast of St Anne every year, adding that she was here this year to pray that her mother, Lourdes Mary Jacob, 68, who suffers from knee pain and has difficulty walking, be healed. Meanwhile, gym owner, Valentina Kaur, 28, and her husband Tunping, 38, revealed that they attended the procession tonight to seek blessings and give thanks after their wish for a first child was finally fulfilled after four years. 'I prayed in March for a child this year and two months later my prayers were answered and I was confirmed pregnant, so tonight we are here to offer thanks and pray so that my pregnancy will go smoothly,' she said.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Ministry partners with 13 NGOs, communities to boost coastal conservation
KUALA LUMPUR: The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) is working closely with 13 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local communities to bolster nationwide coastal conservation efforts. The ministry, in a statement issued in conjunction with the International Day for Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystem today, said that the integrated approach reflects Malaysia's commitment to tackling the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, and coastal erosion. "The government, through NRES, remains committed to strengthening the environmental preservation and conservation agenda. "One of the key initiatives under this agenda is the mangrove and suitable tree species planting programme along the country's coastline, which involves reforesting 3,820ha of degraded areas with a total of 8.99 million trees," it said. The ministry also emphasised the importance of collective action, urging participation from all sectors, including government agencies, the private sector, NGOs, academia, and the general public, in safeguarding Malaysia's vital mangrove forest ecosystem. "This shared commitment is crucial to ensuring the survival of these natural resources for current and future generations, in line with the country's sustainable development goals," it added. Celebrated annually on July 26, International Day for Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystem reflects the global commitment to recognising the critical role mangrove forests and coastal ecosystems play in maintaining ecological balance and supporting human well-being. – Bernama
