Latest news with #BangladeshArmy
Newsweek
21-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Bangladesh Plane Crash: What We Know About F-7 BGI Training Jets
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a school in the country's capital city of Dhaka on Monday, killing at least 20 people. More than 170 people were injured as the F-7 BGI training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College, in the city's northern Uttara neighborhood. The pilot, named as Flight Lieutenant Md. Toukir Islam, was among those killed as the plane hit a two-storey building, said the country's military in a statement. The jet had taken off from Dhaka's AK Khandker Air Force Base for a training flight shortly after 1 p.m. local time, but crashed minutes later due to a mechanical fault, said the statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR). The pilot had attempted to steer the aircraft away from densely populated areas, it added. Members of the Bangladesh Army and the fire service start rescue operations after a Bangladesh Air Force F7 aircraft crashed into a building of Milestone College in Dhaka's Uttara around 1:30 pm on July... Members of the Bangladesh Army and the fire service start rescue operations after a Bangladesh Air Force F7 aircraft crashed into a building of Milestone College in Dhaka's Uttara around 1:30 pm on July 21, 2025 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. More Abdul Goni/Drik/Getty Images Muhammad Yunus, the leader of the country's interim government, offered his "deep condolences" over the "tragic accident", adding in a social media post that the cause of the crash would be investigated. The F-7 BGI is an upgraded version of the F-7, an iteration of the Chinese-designed J-7 itself modeled on the aged, Soviet-era MiG-21. "It's a relatively new version of a very old plane," said Jacob Parakilas, research leader for Defense Strategy, Policy and Capabilities at the European branch of the RAND think tank. The last F-7 BGI came off the line in 2013, Parakilas told Newsweek. The F-7 was designed as an interceptor aircraft, "which in general means that it's optimized for high speed flight," Parakilas said. But take-off and landing can be "less forgiving" than for aircraft with larger wings, he added. "The fact that the base model is old doesn't inherently make it unsafe," Parakilas added. As of early 2025, Bangladesh had 87 combat-capable aircraft, including several variants of the F-7 fighters, according to the U.K.-based defense think tank, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The country's air force had 12 F-7 BGI jets, as well as 11 F-7 BGs and 7 F-7 MB aircraft, according to the IISS. Bangladesh also operates a handful of Soviet-era MiG-29 aircraft. Dhaka's military has close ties with China, and has carried out joint exercises with Beijing. The IISS, in the 2025 edition of its annual review of the world's armed forces, said Bangladesh had plans to boost its combat aircraft fleet, and had invested in its fixed-wing training aircraft. Dhaka's "limited military capability is focused on border and domestic security," the think tank said. The government has declared a national day of mourning for Tuesday, domestic media reported. What People Are Saying Muhammad Yunus, the country's chief advisor currently leading the interim government in Dhaka, said in a statement: "The damage to the Air Force and Milestone School and College students, parents and teachers including others is irreparable in this accident. This is a moment of deep pain for the nation." Bangladeshi government advisor, Asif Nazrul, said: "Such a massive, catastrophic accident has never occurred in our national history." The European Union's delegation in Bangladesh said it was "deeply saddened" by the crash, adding: "Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected."
Euronews
21-07-2025
- General
- Euronews
Bangladesh Air Force jet crashes into school in Dhaka, killing 16
A training aircraft belonging to the Bangladesh Air Force crashed onto a school campus in northern Dhaka on Monday, killing at least 16 people and injuring several others, the military and a fire official said. The Bangladesh Army's public relations office confirmed in a brief statement that the downed F-7 BGI aircraft belonged to the Air Force. The jet crashed onto the campus of Milestone School and College in Dhaka's Uttara neighbourhood, where students were taking tests and attending regular classes. Television footage showed fire and smoke billowing from the crash site. A doctor at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery told reporters that more than 50 people had been taken to the hospital for treatment. The Bengali-language daily paper Prothom Alo said it was mostly students who had sustained burn injuries. Parents and relatives panicked at the scene as rescuers, using tri-cycle rickshaws or whatever was available, transported the injured to hospitals. Rafiqa Taha, a student at the school who was not present at the time of the crash, told the AP by phone that Milestone School and College has around 2,000 students and offers classes from elementary to 12th grade. "I was terrified watching videos on TV," said the 16-year-old student. "My God! It's my school."
Hans India
21-07-2025
- Hans India
Bangladesh Air Force Jet Crashes Into Dhaka School, One Dead, Four Injured
In a tragic accident on Monday, a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Diabari, Dhaka, resulting in at least one fatality and four injuries, according to military sources and fire officials. The jet, identified as an F-7 BGI, was conducting a training mission when it plummeted onto school premises, sparking a massive fire. Black smoke was visible from afar, creating panic in the area. Eyewitness videos captured the chaotic aftermath, showing large flames and a thick plume rising near a school lawn. Emergency response was swift, with eight fire service units dispatched to contain the blaze. The Bangladesh Army confirmed that four injured individuals were rescued and transported for treatment. Fire Service Central Control Room officer Lima Khanam reported over the phone that one body had been recovered, though the victim's identity remains unconfirmed. Notably, children were present at the school when the jet crashed, raising serious concerns about civilian safety in populated zones during military operations. The incident occurred just weeks after a similar aircraft crash involving an Air India flight in Ahmedabad, which claimed the lives of 241 people on board and 19 on the ground. Further investigations are underway, and additional details will be released as they become available.
Saudi Gazette
21-07-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Bangladesh Air Force jet crashes into school in Dhaka
DHAKA — A training aircraft belonging to the Bangladesh Air Force crashed onto a school campus in northern Dhaka on Monday, killing at least one person and injuring several others, the military and a fire official said. The Bangladesh Army's public relations office confirmed in a brief statement that the downed F-7 BGI aircraft belonged to the Air Force. Fire official Lima Khanam stated by phone that at least one person died and four others were injured, though she did not provide further details. The jet crashed onto the campus of Milestone School and College in Dhaka's Uttara neighbourhood, where students were taking tests and attending regular classes. Television footage showed fire and smoke billowing from the crash site. Jamuna TV reported that at least 13 people, including students, were injured. The Bengali-language daily paper Prothom Alo said most of the injured were students who had sustained burns and that at least 20 people were taken to a hospital. Parents and relatives panicked at the scene as rescuers, using tri-cycle rickshaws or whatever was available, transported the injured to hospitals. Rafiqa Taha, a student at the school who was not present at the time of the crash, told the AP by phone that Milestone School and College has around 2,000 students and offers classes from elementary to 12th grade. "I was terrified watching videos on TV," said the 16-year-old student. "My God! It's my school." — Euronews
Euronews
21-07-2025
- General
- Euronews
Bangladesh Air Force jet crashes into school in Dhaka, killing one
A training aircraft belonging to the Bangladesh Air Force crashed onto a school campus in northern Dhaka on Monday, killing at least one person and injuring several others, the military and a fire official said. The Bangladesh Army's public relations office confirmed in a brief statement that the downed F-7 BGI aircraft belonged to the Air Force. Fire official Lima Khanam stated by phone that at least one person died and four others were injured, though she did not provide further details. The jet crashed onto the campus of Milestone School and College in Dhaka's Uttara neighbourhood, where students were taking tests and attending regular classes. Television footage showed fire and smoke billowing from the crash site. Jamuna TV reported that at least 13 people, including students, were injured. The Bengali-language daily paper Prothom Alo said most of the injured were students who had sustained burns and that at least 20 people were taken to a hospital. Parents and relatives panicked at the scene as rescuers, using tri-cycle rickshaws or whatever was available, transported the injured to hospitals. Rafiqa Taha, a student at the school who was not present at the time of the crash, told the AP by phone that Milestone School and College has around 2,000 students and offers classes from elementary to 12th grade. "I was terrified watching videos on TV," said the 16-year-old student. "My God! It's my school."
