In an effort to avoid a major disaster, pilot Flight Lieutenant Mohammad Towkir Islam had attempted to steer the FT-7 BGI fighter aircraft away from densely populated areas and toward a sparsely inhabited zone, according to a according to a press release issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
However, despite his efforts, the aircraft tragically crashed into a two-storey building of Milestone School and College in the Diabari area of Dhaka.
The Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crashed on Monday in an unexpected accident following a mechanical failure shortly after take-off from BAF Base Bangabandhu in Kurmitola of Dhaka.
The aircraft took off at 1:06pm as part of a routine training mission when it encountered a technical malfunction, the specifics of which will be confirmed upon investigation, said the press release.
ISPR said that the crash claimed the lives of 19 people, including the pilot, and injured 164 others. All injured individuals are being promptly transported to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and nearby hospitals for necessary treatment, with assistance from Air Force helicopters and ambulances.
The Bangladesh Air Force expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident and assured that it is fully engaged in providing medical treatment and all necessary support to the victims.
As the chief of air staff is currently abroad on an official visit, the assistant chief of air staff (administration), senior BAF officials, and rescue teams are present at the crash site. The chief of army staff, principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division, and other senior military and government officials also visited the scene, reads the release.
According to the statement, personnel from the army, Air Force, police, Rab, and Fire Service are jointly conducting rescue operations and making every effort to manage the situation.
A high-level investigation committee has already been formed by the Bangladesh Air Force to determine the cause of the accident, the ISPR release added.
