Dhaka: Bangladesh observed a day of mourning on Tuesday, with flags flying at half-mast and special prayers held at places of worship, following the country's deadliest aviation accident in decades that occurred on Monday. At least 31 people lost their lives and over 170 were injured when a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) training aircraft crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College in Dhaka shortly after taking off from Kurmitola airbase.
According to Deutsche Welle, the fatalities included 25 children, a teacher, and the pilot, as confirmed by Sayedur Rahman, a Health Ministry spokesperson. Rahman reported that at least 88 individuals were hospitalized with burn injuries. This incident marks the deadliest aviation accident in Bangladesh in decades, sparking concern as it follows a history of accidents involving the same aircraft family. Previous incidents include crashes in 2008, 2015, and 2018, all involving F-7 fighter jets, with each resulting in the loss of the pilot's life.
Zulkarnain Saer Khan, a London-based investigative journalist, attributes the continued use of the F-7 jets by the BAF to economic constraints, existing infrastructure, and slow procurement of modern aircraft. Despite plans to acquire more advanced jets like the Eurofighter or JF-17, Bangladesh's limited budget and complex procurement processes hinder the phase-out of older aircraft.
The tragic crash has ignited public discourse on the location of military bases, particularly in densely populated areas like Dhaka. Many have taken to social media to advocate for the relocation of military bases from the capital to less populated regions. Dhaka, with its population of over 22 million, is one of the most densely populated urban areas globally, raising safety concerns regarding military operations within the city.
Dhaka-based lawyer Sara Hossain criticized the presence of a military cantonment within the city, arguing that it creates access disparities and safety risks. Zyma Islam, a local journalist, questioned the military's explanation of "mechanical failure" as the cause of the crash, emphasizing the risks of conducting military training in densely populated civilian areas.
Observers suggest that the BAF has long used the runway of the country's main civilian airport for training, with the approach path extending over populated areas. In light of the recent accident, Hossain called for an immediate administrative order to ban air force training flights over such areas, emphasizing the availability of open areas for safer training.
While some view the BAF's training practices as a direct issue, Khan believes the root cause lies in poor urban planning and lax zoning regulations. He argues that authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), must be held accountable for allowing development near high-risk aviation zones. Khan advocates for stricter zoning laws and improved urban planning to prevent future incidents, noting the infeasibility of relocating runways due to cost and land constraints.