Two Bangladesh Army soldiers were killed and a senior officer critically injured when a Chinese-origin Type-59 tank exploded during a live firing exercise at Hathazari Field Firing Range in Chattogram on Wednesday.

The officer has been airlifted to Dhaka’s Combined Military Hospital for advanced treatment, while the cause of the blast remains under investigation.

The incident occurred during a routine training drill in Chattogram. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate, the explosion happened while the crew was firing from the tank. The two soldiers inside the vehicle were killed instantly, while the officer sustained severe injuries requiring urgent evacuation to Dhaka.

The tank involved was a Chinese-origin Type-59, a Chinese version of the Soviet T-54A main battle tank continues to form part of Bangladesh’s armoured inventory. Defence analysts have noted that legacy platforms such as the Type-59 often face increasing risks due to material fatigue, outdated fire-control systems, and limited availability of spare parts. This raises questions about the sustainability of operating ageing equipment in frontline training exercises.

A purported video of the accident has gone viral on social media, showing the moment of the explosion and its immediate aftermath. While the authenticity of the footage has not been independently verified, it has intensified public debate over the safety of ageing military hardware.

The Bangladesh Army has launched a formal inquiry to determine whether the blast was caused by ammunition instability, mechanical failure, or operational error during the firing sequence. Investigators are expected to examine the tank’s maintenance records, ammunition handling procedures, and crew training protocols to establish the root cause.

The accident highlights broader challenges faced by regional militaries reliant on older Chinese-origin equipment. Bangladesh has previously sought to modernise its armoured fleet, but the continued use of legacy tanks underscores the difficulties of balancing operational readiness with budgetary constraints. 

Defence experts argue that such incidents reinforce the urgent need for fleet modernisation and stricter safety protocols in live-fire environments.

The injured officer remains under intensive care in Dhaka, while the families of the deceased soldiers have been informed. The Army has assured that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent similar accidents in future exercises.

Agencies