Two Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) training aircraft carrying four pilots have crashed in Cox’s Bazar’s Moheshkhali island Wednesday evening.
Confirming the news, Director of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate Lt Col Mohammad Rashidul Hasan told the Dhaka Tribune that the four pilots ejected from the planes safely before the crash and are reported to be in good shape.
He, however, did not disclose the identities of the pilots, but confirmed that the pilots have been whisked away to BNS Patenga Hospital in Chittagong for first-aid treatment.
According to a source, Group Captain Sharif and Squadron Leader Monir were in one aircraft while Wing Commander Azim and Wing Commander Rajib were in another plane.
According to an ISPR press release, two YAK-130 training planes took off at 5:56pm from Chittagong’s BAF Base Zahurul Haque and subsequently lost radio contact after 30 minutes.
The release also said the planes had crashed around 6:30pm in Moheshkhali island.
Locals in Cox's Bazar's Moheshkhali gather to support a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) pilot, who was able to eject himself from a YAK-130 training aircraft before crashing in the island on Wesdnesday, December 27, 2017
Dhaka TribuneBAF did not disclose how the accident took place, but according to multiple TV news channels, it happened when the training planes collided head-on mid-air.
The air force said they are yet to determine the cause of the accident.
This crowdsourced grainy image the Dhaka Tribune received shows firefighters rush to douse the fire in the crash zone of a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft in Cox's Bazar's Moheshakhali on Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Dhaka TribuneMultiple firefighting units were able to douse the fire after several hours of effort, reports our correspondent at Cox’s Bazar.
Information about any casualties and damage are yet to be confirmed.
Locals in Cox's Bazar's Moheshkhali gather to support a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) pilot, who was able to eject himself from a YAK-130 training aircraft before crashing in the island on Wesdnesday, December 27, 2017 Dhaka TribuneBAF did not disclose how the accident took place, but according to multiple TV news channels, it happened when the training planes collided head-on mid-air.
The air force said they are yet to determine the cause of the accident.
This crowdsourced grainy image the Dhaka Tribune received shows firefighters rush to douse the fire in the crash zone of a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft in Cox's Bazar's Moheshakhali on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 Dhaka TribuneMultiple firefighting units were able to douse the fire after several hours of effort, reports our correspondent at Cox’s Bazar.
Information about any casualties and damage are yet to be confirmed.