By Shakir Husain
NEW DELHI, July 21 (Bernama) -- Foreign leaders on Monday expressed shock and sorrow over the deadly crash of a Bangladesh military jet that killed at least 20 people, including schoolchildren, and injured more than 170.
India, Pakistan and the Maldives were among the nations that extended their condolences to Bangladesh in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation mourned the deaths and expressed its solidarity with Bangladesh.
"We stand in solidarity with the government and the people of Bangladesh during this difficult time and extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims and all those affected by this heartbreaking incident. We also pray for the swift and full recovery of those who were injured," said the Istanbul-headquartered group of which Bangladesh is a member.
The Bangladesh Air Force's Chinese-made F-7 BGI fighter aircraft crashed into a building of Milestone School and College in Dhaka's Uttara area.
Among those who lost their lives was the plane's pilot, Flight Lieutenant Toukir Islam.
The aircraft crashed due to a mechanical fault a few minutes after taking off at 1.06 pm local time from the Bangladesh Air Force Base AK Khandaker in Kurmitola as part of a regular training, according to a military statement.
"Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. We pray for the swift recovery of those injured. India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, saying he was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the aircraft crash at Milestone School in Dhaka.”
“My heartfelt condolences to the people of Bangladesh, especially the families of the victims, many of them young children. “Pakistan stands in solidarity with the government and people of Bangladesh in these difficult moments," he said.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said his "thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by this devastating incident."
Bangladesh has announced a day of national mourning to be observed on Tuesday.
A high-level probe has been set up to find out the cause of the accident.
-- BERNAMA
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