Bangladesh Air Force's Chinese jet crashes in Dhaka's Milestone college, many hurt: Report

A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into an educational institute in Dhaka on Monday, claiming one life. Several people are believed to have suffered injuries in the incident.

 

The plane reportedly crashed at Milestone School and College in Dhaka's Uttara area and caught fire around 1:00 PM, Bangladeshi media reports said. The aircraft went down near the college's temporary campus area, they added.

 

It was an F-7 BGI (701) model of the Bangladesh Air Force that was involved in the incident, Jamuna TV said in a report. Flight Lieutenant Taukir Islam Sagar was identified as the solo pilot on board the plane, it added.

 

Reports on social media indicate that several civilians were injured in the plane crash. They are seen being rescued and rushed to hospital by first responders. As many as 28 people have been admitted so far at the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute of Dhaka Medical College. Most of the injured are students, Prothom Alo reported quoting hospital officials. Four others were taken to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) by an air force helicopter, the report added.

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The fire service said that upon receiving the information, eight fire and rescue units were rushed to Milestone School and College from Uttara, Tongi, Pallabi, Kurmitola, Mirpur, and Purbachal fire stations, Jamuna TV reported. Rescue operations are still underway.

 

"F-7 BGI (701)" refers to a specific variant of the Chinese F-7 fighter jets. In 2022, China had reportedly given 36 F-7 BGIs to Dhaka, reports showed. Sixteen F-7BGIs of the Bangladesh Air Force entered service in 2013. The Bangladeshi Air Force currently operates FT-7MB Airguards, and F-7BG and F-7BGI interceptors, Wikipedia said.

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