A training aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force crashed in the capital’s Uttara area on Monday (July 21), killing one person and injuring several others. The incident took place around midday within the campus of Milestone College in Sector 11 of Uttara.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion that shook the surrounding area, causing panic among residents and students nearby. “We thought it was a bomb blast,” said one local. “But then we saw smoke and flames rising from the college grounds. It was a plane crash.”
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the aircraft was an F-7 BGI model. It took off at 1:06 PM and crashed just minutes later after reportedly losing control mid-air.
The Fire Service and Civil Defence dispatched three units to the site immediately upon receiving the alert at 1:18 PM. Two more units later joined the rescue operation. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control before initiating recovery efforts.
Khaleda Yasmin, a duty officer at the Fire Service headquarters, confirmed to the media that one body was recovered from the crash site. The identity of the deceased has not yet been disclosed. Multiple individuals were injured and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Another official, Lima Khanom, added, “We received the call at 1:18 PM. Rescue units reached the site quickly and began operations to control the fire and conduct search and rescue.”
The cause of the crash remains unknown at this stage. Authorities have announced plans to form a high-level investigation committee to determine the reason behind the incident.
Training missions, though essential, carry inherent risks. However, the crash occurring in such a densely populated urban area has raised renewed concerns over aviation safety protocols.