A tragic incident unfolded in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where an air force training jet crashed into a college and school campus, resulting in at least 27 fatalities. The crash occurred shortly after the aircraft took off from an airbase for a routine training mission. According to military officials, the jet experienced a mechanical failure that led to the disaster.
The incident took place on March 11, 2024, and has left 88 individuals, including children, receiving treatment for burn injuries in local hospitals. Sayedur Rahman, a special assistant to the chief adviser on health, confirmed the number of casualties and stated that the injured were admitted to various medical facilities in the area.
In response to the tragedy, the Bangladeshi government declared a day of mourning, with flags flying at half-mast across the nation. Special prayers will be held at all places of worship to honor the victims. Among those who lost their lives in the crash was the pilot of the aircraft, a fact confirmed by military sources.
Investigation Underway
The military has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. A committee has been formed to determine the exact cause of the mechanical failure that led to such a devastating outcome. The aircraft involved was an F-7 BGI, noted as the final and most advanced variant in China’s Chengdu J-7/F-7 aircraft family. Bangladesh had contracted for 16 aircraft in 2011, with all deliveries completed by 2013, according to Jane’s Information Group.
This tragic event follows closely on the heels of another aviation disaster in the region. Just weeks prior, an Air India plane crashed into a medical college hostel in Ahmedabad, India, resulting in the deaths of 241 of the 242 people on board, along with 19 fatalities on the ground. This incident marked one of the worst aviation disasters in recent history.
As the nation mourns the loss of life, the focus will shift to understanding the causes of both tragedies and ensuring the safety of air travel in the region.
