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Canada News.Net
4 days ago
- Canada News.Net
Bangladesh declares day of mourning after deadly plane crash
DHAKA, Bangladesh: At least 27 people have been killed and over 170 injured after a Bangladesh Air Force jet crashed into the campus of a private school in Dhaka on July 21, in one of the capital's deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory. The F-7 BGI aircraft, a Chinese-built fighter used for training purposes, went down shortly after taking off from the A.K. Khandaker Air Base in Dhaka's Kurmitola neighborhood at 1:06 p.m. The jet crashed into Milestone School and College in the Uttara area, igniting a fire and causing extensive damage to a two-story school building. Officials confirmed the pilot was among the dead. Twenty deaths were initially reported, with seven more victims succumbing to their injuries overnight, according to a military spokesperson and local fire officials. Medical teams said that the condition of nearly two dozen victims remains critical. Of the 171 injured, most were students who were attending afternoon classes at the time. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as emergency responders rushed to evacuate children and school staff. Many of the wounded were transported to a specialized burn hospital in Dhaka, where a blood donation camp has been set up to support ongoing treatment efforts. Twenty bodies have so far been returned to families. Some of the victims were burned beyond recognition, and authorities may need to conduct DNA testing to confirm their identities. According to an official military statement, the jet experienced a "technical malfunction" shortly after takeoff. The pilot reportedly attempted to steer the aircraft away from densely populated areas before it struck the school compound. An Air Force investigation team has been formed to determine the exact cause of the crash. Milestone School and College, which serves approximately 2,000 students from elementary through 12th grade, is a leading private institution focused on academics, extracurricular activities, and global opportunities. The school has operated in Dhaka for more than two decades. Rafiqa Taha, a student not present at the time, told the Associated Press that classes were underway across several grades when the crash occurred. Local media have reported that many of the injured were inside classrooms or on the school grounds when the jet came down. The incident has shocked Dhaka, a city of more than 20 million residents. Interim national leader Muhammad Yunus expressed his condolences to the victims' families and promised a full investigation. "This is a heartbreaking tragedy," Yunus said, adding that every effort would be made to support survivors and determine accountability. In response to the disaster, the government declared a national day of mourning the day after the crash. Flags flew at half-staff across the country in honor of the victims. This crash is the deadliest involving a military aircraft in Dhaka in recent history. The last similar incident occurred in 2008 when another F-7 training jet crashed outside the capital, killing the pilot after he ejected due to a technical failure. As investigators begin to comb through the wreckage and eyewitness accounts, questions remain about the maintenance, safety protocols, and aging aircraft used by the Bangladeshi Air Force for training missions. For now, the country mourns the loss of lives, many of them young students, in what has become a national tragedy. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X: "Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance."
STV News
7 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
Bangladesh Air Force jet crashes into a Dhaka school and kills 19
A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a school campus in the capital, Dhaka, shortly after take-off on Monday, killing at least 19 people including the pilot and injuring 164 others, the military said. 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. The cause was not immediately clear. PA Media 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'. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bangladesh Air Force jet crash: What to know about the crash into a Dhaka school
At least 27 people have been killed after a Bangladesh Air Force jet crashed into a private school campus in the south Asian country's capital, Dhaka, on Monday (July 21, 2025). It is the deadliest airplane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory. In 2008, another F-7 air force training jet crashed outside Dhaka, killing its pilot, who had ejected after he discovered a technical problem. While details are still emerging, here's what is known so far: The crash The F-7 BGI jet, a variant of a Chinese fighter, crashed into the campus of the Milestone School and College, in the Uttara neighbourhood of Dhaka. The pilot was among the dead, according to the military and a fire official, and 171 people, mostly students, have been injured. Officials described the plane as a training aircraft. The military said the jet took off from Bangladesh Air Force Base A K Khandaker in Dhaka's Kurmitola neighbourhood at 1:06 pm local time and crashed soon after, catching fire immediately. The military said the pilot tried to avoid densely populated areas but the jet hit a two-story building. It said the aircraft experienced a 'technical malfunction,' adding that a high-level Air Force committee will investigate the cause. The school The crash happened on the campus of Milestone, a school with some 2,000 students. It describes itself as having more than two decades of experience as a leading private educational institution. Rafiqa Taha, a student who was not present at the time of the crash, told The Associated Press by phone that the school offers classes from elementary to twelfth grade. The school says it has a focus on extracurricular activities, career counselling and 'global opportunities.' The Uttara neighbourhood is in northern Dhaka, a metropolitan area of more than 20 million people. The victims Details are still emerging. Local media reports said many of the more than 160 injured were students who were on campus for afternoon classes. Reactions Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus pledged an investigation, expressing his deep sorrow over the 'heartbreaking accident.' The government has announced a national day of mourning on Tuesday (July 22, 2025), with flags to fly at half-staff across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X: 'Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance.'
Al Arabiya
22-07-2025
- General
- Al Arabiya
What to know about the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash into a Dhaka school
At least 19 people have been killed after a Bangladesh Air Force jet crashed into a private school campus in the south Asian country's capital city on Monday. It is the deadliest airplane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory. Details are still emerging. Here's a look at what is known so far: What happened? The F-7 BGI jet–a variant of a Chinese fighter–crashed into the campus of the Milestone School and College in the Uttara neighborhood of Bangladesh's capital Dhaka. At least 19 people have died, including the pilot, according to military and a fire official. More than 160 people have been injured. Officials described the plane as a training aircraft. The military said the jet took off at 1:06 p.m. local time and crashed soon after, catching fire immediately. The cause was not immediately clear. The cause of the crash is being investigated. Where did it happen? The crash happened on the campus of Milestone, a school with some 2000 students. It describes itself as having more than two decades of experience as a leading private educational institution. Rafiqa Taha, a student who was not present at the time of the crash, told The Associated Press by phone that the school offers classes from elementary to twelfth grade. The school says it has a focus on extracurricular activities, career counseling, and global opportunities. The Uttara neighborhood is in northern Dhaka, a metropolitan area of more than 20 million people. Who are the victims? Details are still emerging. Officials have said the pilot is among the dead. Local media reports said many of the 160 injured were students who were on campus for afternoon classes.
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Business Standard
22-07-2025
- General
- Business Standard
All you need to know about Bangladesh Air Force jet crash into Dhaka school
The F-7 BGI jet, a variant of a Chinese fighter, crashed into the campus of the Milestone School and College, in the Uttara neighborhood of Dhaka AP Dhaka At least 20 people have been killed after a Bangladesh Air Force jet crashed into a private school campus in the south Asian country's capital, Dhaka, on Monday. It is the deadliest airplane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory. In 2008, another F-7 air force training jet crashed outside Dhaka, killing its pilot, who had ejected after he discovered a technical problem. While details are still emerging, here's what is known so far: The crash The F-7 BGI jet, a variant of a Chinese fighter, crashed into the campus of the Milestone School and College, in the Uttara neighborhood of Dhaka. The pilot was among the dead, according to the military and a fire official. More than 160 other people have been injured. Officials described the plane as a training aircraft. The military said the jet took off from Bangladesh Air Force Base A K Khandaker in Dhaka's Kurmitola neighborhood at 1:06 pm local time and crashed soon after, catching fire immediately. The military said the pilot tried to avoid densely populated areas but the jet hit a two-story building. It said the aircraft experienced a technical malfunction, adding that a high-level Air Force committee will investigate the cause. The school The crash happened on the campus of Milestone, a school with some 2,000 students. It describes itself as having more than two decades of experience as a leading private educational institution. Rafiqa Taha, a student who was not present at the time of the crash, told The Associated Press by phone that the school offers classes from elementary to twelfth grade. The school says it has a focus on extracurricular activities, career counseling and global opportunities. The Uttara neighbourhood is in northern Dhaka, a metropolitan area of more than 20 million people. The victims Details are still emerging. Local media reports said many of the more than 160 injured were students who were on campus for afternoon classes. Reactions Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus pledged an investigation, expressing his deep sorrow over the heartbreaking accident. The government has announced a national day of mourning on Tuesday, with flags to fly at half-staff across the country. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X: Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
