Bangladeshi pilot killed when air force trainer jet crashes in Chattogram

DHAKA, Bangladesh

A Bangladeshi Air Force pilot was killed and another was critically injured when a fighter jet training aircraft crashed Thursday in southeastern Chattogram, according to police.

A mechanical malfunction is suspected in the crash of the Bangladesh Air Force Yak-130 in the Karnaphuli River, said officials.

Squadron leader Asim Jawad died while undergoing treatment, said police.

After flying above the Patenga Navy Boat Club, the plane crashed in Patenga, an area near the Bay of Bengal, Patenga police station officer-in-charge Kabirul Islam told Anadolu.

The other pilot is now in better health, he said, adding that the aircraft has not yet been rescued.

The jet suddenly caught fire and crashed. The pilots ejected from the plane. Later, they were rescued and rushed to hospitals, said police.

Members of the Fire Service, Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard were among the agencies taking part in the rescue operation.

Manufactured by Russia's Irkut Corporation the Yak-130 first came to Bangladesh in 2015.