Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat today said excessive speed may have caused the Bangladesh Air Force vehicle crash near the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), which left three airmen dead and four others seriously injured.
After visiting the accident site this evening along with the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh chairman and the HSIA executive director, he said, "From what we have heard, it seems to have been an accident. It could have been the driver’s fault."
A five-member committee headed by Md Nazrul Islam, deputy director of AVSEC at HSIA, has been formed to investigate.
The crash occurred around 9:35pm yesterday when a Bangladesh Air Force vehicle carrying seven personnel was performing Quick Response Force duties in the third terminal area, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR).
Air Force personnel rushed the injured to Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka, where doctors declared Warrant Officer Sultan Mahmud, Corporal Moniruzzaman Pias and LAC Md Zubaidul Islam dead. The other four remain under treatment.
During his visit, Millat inspected the underpass where the vehicle fell, noting that vehicles were not normally supposed to enter the area.
“I think the vehicle was travelling at high speed and the driver lost control. They were supposed to turn right but could not. The vehicle crossed the area where you are standing and fell into the underpass,” he told reporters.
He directed authorities to take protective measures, stressing that once the terminal opens, visitors, including children and elderly people, must be safeguarded.
The namaz-e-janaza and funeral parade of the three deceased were held with military honours at the C-130 hangar of Air Force Base Bir Uttam AK Khandker in Kurmitola at 5:30pm today. Millat and Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman attended, while Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan placed wreaths and paid tribute.
Family members, a former air chief, senior government officials, military officers and personnel of other ranks were present. The bodies were later taken to their village homes for burial with military honours.
According to ISPR, Air Force personnel have been deployed at HSIA and other airports under “In Aid to Civil Power” since August 5, 2024, performing duties related to law and order, passenger security and overall airport safety.
