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Japan Today
2 days ago
- General
- Japan Today
Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashes into school in Dhaka and kills at least 20
Shahbul, father of a missing girl student, cries after a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft that crashed onto a school campus shortly after takeoff in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Monday, July 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu) By JULHAS ALAM A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a school in Dhaka, the capital, shortly after takeoff on Monday afternoon, catching fire and killing the pilot and at least 19 other people, most of whom were students, officials said. Another 171 students were rescued with injuries from a smoldering two-story building, officials said, including many with burns who were whisked away in helicopters, motorized rickshaws and the arms of firefighters and parents. The Chinese-made F-7 BGI training aircraft experienced a 'technical malfunction' moments after takeoff at 1:06 p.m. local time, and the pilot attempted to divert the plane to a less populated area before crashing into the campus of Milestone School and College, according to a statement from the military. Students said the school's buildings trembled violently, followed by a big explosion that sent them running for safety. A desperate scene soon unfolded at the crash site, as panicked relatives searched for loved ones. Screams filled the air at a nearby hospital. The Milestone school is in Dhaka's Uttara neighborhood, which is roughly 11 kilometers (7 miles) drive from the A.K. Khandaker air force base. The school is in a densely populated area near a metro station and numerous shops and homes. The pilot, Flight Lt. Mohammed Toukir Islam, made 'every effort to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas toward a more sparsely inhabited location,' the military said, adding that it would investigate the cause of the accident. It is the deadliest plane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory. In 2008, another F-7 training jet crashed outside Dhaka, killing its pilot, who had ejected after he discovered a technical problem. The government announced a national day of mourning on Tuesday, with flags to fly at half-staff across the country. At the crash site Monday afternoon, a father sprinted with his daughter cradled in his arms. A mother cried out, having found her younger child, but desperately searched for her older one. Another father described his feeling of helplessness while waiting to learn the fate of his daughter. 'The plane crashed on the building where my daughter was. My wife called me, but I was praying so I could not pick up," Jewel, who goes by one name, said at the scene. 'When I came here I saw there was a huge fire. There was a dead body of a child.' Luckily, his daughter was safe, he said, but he saw many other children suffering from burns. Students also scrambled to see what had happened. 'We fought with the crowd and the soldiers to get close to the crash site in our school,' said Estiak Elahi Khan, who is in the 11th grade. "What I saw I can't describe that ... that's terrible." Doctors at Uttara Adhunik Hospital said more than 60 students, many between the ages of 12 and 16, were transferred to a special hospital for burn victims. By Monday evening, rescuers continued to scour the debris, searching for bodies. A crane was being used to remove debris. Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, also pledged an investigation, and he expressed his deep sorrow over the 'heartbreaking accident.' He called it 'a moment of deep national grief.' Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed shock and sadness. 'Our hearts go out to the bereaved families,' Modi said in a post on X. 'India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance.' Rafiqa Taha, a student who was not present at the time of the crash, said by phone that the school, with some 2,000 students, offers classes from elementary grades through high school. 'I was terrified watching videos on TV,' the 16-year-old said. 'My God! It's my school.' Associated Press videographer Al-emrun Garjon contributed from Dhaka. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Dhaka jet tragedy kills 'young students'; Bangladesh Cricket Board issues statement: 'Profound sorrow over the tragic air crash'
Firemen look for the survivors after a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft that crashed onto a school campus (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu) The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expressed deep sorrow following the tragic crash of an F-7 BGI training aircraft that struck Milestone School & College in Dhaka's Uttara area on Monday. The devastating incident left at least 20 people dead and over 150 injured, including students who were on campus when the crash occurred. 'The Bangladesh Cricket Board expresses profound sorrow over the tragic air crash at Milestone School & College in Dhaka. We stand in solidarity with the grieving families and all those affected. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to everyone impacted by this heartbreaking tragedy,' the BCB posted on X. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed also shared a heartfelt video on social media, offering his prayers and solidarity to the victims and their families. The aircraft, identified as a Chinese-made F-7 BGI fighter jet, was on a routine training mission before it crashed at around 1:06 pm. The impact caused widespread panic in the neighbourhood as emergency response teams, including fire services and military rescue squads, rushed to the scene. Footage from the site showed thick smoke rising from the school premises as authorities worked to evacuate and assist the injured. Poll What is your main concern regarding the recent aircraft crash? Loss of lives Injury to students Impact on safety regulations Future of aviation training A spokesperson for Milestone School and College said, 'The plane fell on the gate and crashed nearby. A class was in session where the plane crashed. The injured are being taken out one by one.' Bangladesh army officials confirmed that the jet belonged to the air force, but have yet to release details on what caused the crash or whether the pilot managed to eject. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences on X, writing, 'Deeply shocked and saddened at the loss of lives, many of them young students, in a tragic air crash in Dhaka. 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.' Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Bangladesh Air Force jet crashes into a Dhaka school and kills 19
According to the military and a fire official, the Chinese-made F-7 BGI aircraft crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College, in the Uttara neighbourhood, in the afternoon as students were attending classes. The military said the jet took off at 1.06pm local time and crashed soon after, catching fire immediately. Firemen check the wreckage of a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft (Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP) The cause was not immediately clear. It is the deadliest plane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory. Local media indicated most of the injured were students. Relatives arrived at the scene as rescuers, using tricycle rickshaws or whatever was available, transported the injured to local hospitals. Rafiqa Taha, a student who was not present at the time of the crash, told The Associated Press by phone that the school, with some 2,000 students, offers classes from elementary to twelfth grade. 'I was terrified watching videos on TV,' the 16-year-old said. 'My God. It's my school.' Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus pledged an investigation into the crash, expressing his deep sorrow over the 'heartbreaking accident' at Milestone School and College. In a statement, he lamented the 'irreparable' loss suffered by 'Air Force personnel, students, parents, teachers, staff, and others', calling it 'a moment of deep national grief'.
Western Telegraph
2 days ago
- General
- Western Telegraph
Bangladesh Air Force jet crashes into a Dhaka school and kills 19
According to the military and a fire official, the Chinese-made F-7 BGI aircraft crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College, in the Uttara neighbourhood, in the afternoon as students were attending classes. The military said the jet took off at 1.06pm local time and crashed soon after, catching fire immediately. Firemen check the wreckage of a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft (Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP) The cause was not immediately clear. It is the deadliest plane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory. Local media indicated most of the injured were students. Relatives arrived at the scene as rescuers, using tricycle rickshaws or whatever was available, transported the injured to local hospitals. Rafiqa Taha, a student who was not present at the time of the crash, told The Associated Press by phone that the school, with some 2,000 students, offers classes from elementary to twelfth grade. 'I was terrified watching videos on TV,' the 16-year-old said. 'My God. It's my school.' Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus pledged an investigation into the crash, expressing his deep sorrow over the 'heartbreaking accident' at Milestone School and College. In a statement, he lamented the 'irreparable' loss suffered by 'Air Force personnel, students, parents, teachers, staff, and others', calling it 'a moment of deep national grief'.
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Bangladesh Air Force jet crashes into a Dhaka school and kills 18
According to the military and a fire official, the Chinese-made F-7 BGI aircraft crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College, in the Uttara neighbourhood, in the afternoon as students were attending classes. The military said the jet took off at 1.06pm local time and crashed soon after, catching fire immediately. Firemen check the wreckage of a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft (Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP) The cause was not immediately clear. It is the deadliest plane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory. Local media indicated most of the injured were students. Relatives arrived at the scene as rescuers, using tricycle rickshaws or whatever was available, transported the injured to local hospitals. Rafiqa Taha, a student who was not present at the time of the crash, told The Associated Press by phone that the school, with some 2,000 students, offers classes from elementary to twelfth grade. 'I was terrified watching videos on TV,' the 16-year-old said. 'My God. It's my school.'
