The tragic vehicle accident at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s Third Terminal flyover, which claimed the lives of three Bangladesh Air Force personnel, was likely caused by driver error or excessive speed, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat stated.

The accident occurred at approximately 10:20 PM when an Air Force pickup truck on routine duty lost control and plunged from the first level of the flyover into an underpass below. Sharif Hossain, inspector (operations) of the Airport Police Station, confirmed that the three victims died on the spot.

The deceased have been identified as Corporal Pias, Warrant Officer Mahmud, and LAC Zubaidul. Four other injured personnel were rushed to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), where three remain in critical condition.

Following an inspection of the crash site, Minister Millat shared preliminary assessments regarding how the vehicle veered off the road.

"At first glance, based on what we've heard, it seems the accident was either due to the driver's fault or because the vehicle's speed was too high while turning in this completely open area," Millat said. He added that the vehicle appeared to be travelling too fast to navigate a planned right turn, causing it to cross over the edge and fall into the underpass below—a location where vehicles are normally not expected to go.

The Minister noted that the funeral prayers (janaza) for the deceased have already been completed, and emphasised that the official investigation will reveal the definitive findings.

Under the direction of the Civil Aviation Chairman, a five-member investigation committee has been established to probe the crash. The committee is headed by Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Deputy Director Nazrul Islam.

In the wake of the tragedy, Minister Millat issued immediate directives to the Civil Aviation Authority to construct protective safety barriers around the underpass.

"We decided today that once the Third Terminal opens, many curious people, including elderly visitors and children, will come to peer down and look at the terminal," Millat explained. "We have instructed Civil Aviation to take protective measures immediately to secure the area and eliminate any risks of people falling".