Bangladesh mourns 31 dead in jet crash as students protest to demand accountability
The death toll from the crash rose to 31 on Tuesday, including 25 students, a teacher who died from burn injuries she sustained while helping others get out of the burning building, and the pilot of the training aircraft.
Firefighters further secured the scene of the crash in Dhaka's densely-populated Uttara neighborhood while an investigation by the military was ongoing. The country's civil aviation authority was not involved in the investigation directly.
Bangladesh, in shock after the crash involving its air force, marked Tuesday as a national day of mourning, with the national flag flying at half-staff across the country.
Monday's crash at the Milestone School and College caused a fire that left the two-story school building in Dhaka in flames. Officials said 171 people, mostly students and many with burns, were rescued and taken from the scene in helicopters, ambulances, motorized rickshaws and in the arms of firefighters and parents.
The students protesting outside the crash site at the Milestone School and College demanded 'accurate' publication of identities of the dead and injured, compensation for the families, and an immediate halt to the use of 'outdated and unsafe' training aircraft by the Bangladesh air force.
They chanted slogans and accused security officials of beating them and manhandling teachers on Monday.
The students also became furious after two senior government advisers arrived at the scene, forcing the officials to take cover.
On Tuesday, 78 people, mostly students, remained hospitalized, said Sayeedur Rahman, a special assistant to Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus. Twenty deaths were reported initially, and seven died of their injuries overnight, authorities said.
Maherin Chowdhury, a teacher who rescued more than 20 students from the burning school, died from severe burn injuries, her colleague Tanzina Tanu said.
Doctors said late Monday that the condition of about two dozen injured remained critical. A blood donation camp has been opened at a specialized burn hospital where most of the injured were being treated.
Twenty bodies have been handed over to their families, with some of them possibly needing DNA matching after they were charred beyond recognition. Many relatives waited overnight at a specialized burn hospital for the bodies of their loved ones.
The Chinese-made F-7 BGI training aircraft experienced a 'technical malfunction' moments after takeoff from the A.K. Khandaker air force base at 1:06 p.m. Monday, according to a statement from the military.
The pilot, Flight Lt. Mohammed Toukir Islam, made 'every effort to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas toward a more sparsely inhabited location,' the military said, adding that it would investigate the cause of the crash.
The Milestone school, about an 11-kilometer (7-mile) drive from the air force base, is in a densely populated area near a metro station and numerous shops and homes.
It was the pilot's first solo flight as he was completing his training course. It remained unclear if he managed to eject before the jet hit the building.
The first funeral prayers were held for the pilot in Dhaka on Tuesday morning and second prayers will be held in southwestern Rajshahi district where his parents live.
It is the deadliest plane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory. In 2008, another F-7 training jet crashed outside Dhaka, killing its pilot, who had ejected after he discovered a technical problem.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- The Independent
Sixteen arrested after protest outside migrant hotel in Epping
Police have arrested 16 people after a protest outside a migrant hotel last week. Essex Police said a small number of people had used a peaceful demonstration last Thursday as cover to commit violent disorder and criminal damage. The protest, outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, began peacefully but escalated into what officers described as 'scattered incidents of violence' targeting police and property. Eight officers were injured and a number of police vehicles were damaged as missiles were thrown. Six people have been charged, including Kenneth Blissett, 34, of Long Banks, Harlow, Essex, who was charged on Thursday with theft of police equipment and possession of an offensive weapon. He remains on bail and will appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court on September 30. Another man in his 20s was detained at an address in Harlow at about 5.45pm on Wednesday on suspicion of violent disorder. He remains in custody for questioning and police say they have seized evidence from the scene. Officers are also appealing for information about two men they want to speak to in connection with the violence. Martin Peagram, 33, who has links to Stansted, Essex, is described as 6ft, of slim build, with short brown hair and facial stubble. Philip Curson, 52, who has no fixed address, is 5ft 8in, stocky, with short brown hair and full tattoo sleeves on both arms, as well as tattoos on his neck. Essex Police said they are no longer seeking Shaun Thompson, 37, who was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and remains in custody. Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said: 'We'd promised that we'd continue our investigations into the unacceptable actions of a small number of people who chose to take advantage of peaceful protest to try to cause harm to people in Epping or to property. 'We've been analysing footage and we have investigators and trained detectives working on this operation. 'We are identifying suspects and there will be more arrests in the coming days. 'Put simply, if you turn up to try to cause trouble, you won't get away with it.' Detectives have also released body-worn video showing one of the arrests. The latest developments come as police are braced for further protests, and the Government and law enforcement have vowed to act swiftly if unrest spreads. The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of asylum-seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, with sexual assault after he allegedly attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl. He denied the charge at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court and will stand trial in August. The protest has drawn national attention and sparked a political row, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage calling for Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington to resign over claims that officers transported left-wing protesters to the scene, claims the chief constable has denied.
The Sun
14 minutes ago
- The Sun
‘Epping migrant hotel protester' is arrested in at home raid as ring of steel ramps up around TWO asylum seeker centres
POLICE arrested a suspect in a home raid after disorder broke out over taxpayer-funded asylum seeker hotels. Essex Police released bodycam footage of the arrest, as they demanded the man put his hands up before handcuffing him in his living room. 11 11 11 11 Detectives searched his home for clothing the man in his 20s allegedly wore on a day of disorder. The protest, outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, began peacefully but escalated into what officers described as "scattered incidents of violence" targeting police and property. Eight officers were injured and a number of police vehicles were damaged as missiles were thrown. The arrest took place at 5.45pm yesterday in Harlow, and he is being questioned in suspect. In the video, a cop can be heard saying: "Hello mate, you all right? Put your hands up for me. You are going to be arrested, you are under arrest for section two violent disorder for an offence that occurred on July 17. "You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. "The reason for your arrest is so we can interview you about it and also do post arrest searches. "We will be searching for items of clothing you were wearing on the day. Understand?" Cops have now made 16 arrests for offences including violent disorder and criminal damage, and six people have been charged. Kenneth Blissett, 34, of Harlow, was charged with theft of police equipment and possession of an offensive weapon. Farage fury as cops admit ESCORTING pro-migrant protesters to Essex asylum hotel He is on bail and is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court on September. Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said: 'We'd promised that we'd continue our investigations into the unacceptable actions of a small number of people who chose to take advantage of peaceful protest to try to cause harm to people in Epping or to property. 'We've been analysing footage and we have investigators and trained detectives working on this operation. 'We are identifying suspects and there will be more arrests in the coming days. 'Put simply: If you turn up to try to cause trouble, you won't get away with it.' 11 11 ESSEX POLICE UNDER SCRUTINY It comes after the Chief Constable of Essex Police refused to resign after footage showed officers escorting pro-migrant activists to an asylum seeker hotel. Essex Police had initially denied it brought demonstrators from Stand Up to Racism to the Bell Hotel in Epping before clashes with anti-migrant protesters last Sunday (July 17). The force changed its tune after being shown footage of the activists apparently being led by officers from a station to outside the hotel while holding placards. However, while accepting it provided a "foot cordon", the force has denied claims today it specifically "bussed" the counter-protesters to the hotel. Essex Police are continuing to face heavy scrutiny over its handling of the protests. A spokesperson for the force added: "Misinformation has circulated online suggesting we 'bussed in' counter protestors during a recent protest in Epping on Thursday 17 July. "This is categorically untrue. "Groups of protestors and counter-protestors – each of which have a legal right to peacefully protest in a public location – attempted to travel to the Bell Hotel on foot, to demonstrate outside the site. "This is their right and it is not for the police to prevent any one group from doing so, if they are doing so lawfully and peacefully. "However, officers were aware of a need to keep the groups separate and to keep the peace. "Therefore, officers ensured they maintained a presence around each group. This also took place on foot. "This effectively constituted a walking cordon around a group of counter protestors as they walked through Epping in the direction of the protest. "No counter protestors were brought to the scene via police transport." 11 11 PREPARATIONS IN CANARY WHARF It comes as the near 500-room Britannia Hotel in London 's Canary Wharf is currently preparing for migrants to arrive. Photos today show new beds and mattresses being unloaded and carried into the four star hotel in the heart of the capital's swanky docklands, and where rooms can typically cost up to £469 a night. A spokesman for Tower Hamlets council said: 'We are aware of the Government's decision to use the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. 'It is important that the Government ensures that there is a full package of support for those staying at the hotel. 'We are working with the Home Office and partners to make sure that all necessary safety and safeguarding arrangements are in place.' The Home Office has reserved more than 400 beds at the Britannia International Hotel, agreeing a deal for £81 per night for each migrant who stays there. It has been confirmed that no asylum seekers are currently living there. The Home Office reserves beds in empty hotel rooms in case of a surge in crossings over the summer period. Home Office sources revealed to The Sun that the average cost per night for a hotel room for a migrant is now £118.87, down from £162.16 in March 2023. Housing asylum seekers in hotels costs the taxpayer £5.77million a day. According to websites such as the hotel is not taking reservations. Police were seen guarding outside last night as protesters gathered. The hotel sits on the waterfront of the South Dock. 11 EPPING PROTESTS Chaos was sparked outside the hotel in Epping last week after an asylum seeker appeared in court charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The unrest saw yobs launching themselves on riot vans, smashing windshields and ripping off wingmirrors in senseless displays of "hooliganism". One thug was even run over while attempting to stop a police van gaining access to the hotel. Another man had his teeth knocked out after riot cops smashed a shield into his face in a brutal clash. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said "heads will roll" over the escort, which he alleged was done to "force a confrontation". The protest was sparked by a 38-year-old Ethiopian asylum seeker who was arrested and later charged with three counts of sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and one count of harassment without violence. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, who had been living at the Bell Hotel, in Epping, Essex, denies sexual assault. He appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 10, where he denied all charges. His arrest led to multiple protests in the region, culminating in the violent clashes. Since tensions reached boiling point, violent demonstrations have cost the force £100,000. There are about 210 hotels under contracts with the Home Office to house migrants. A Sun investigation revealed 339 defendants who had been living at asylum hotels had appeared in magistrates' courts already this year. Sir Keir Starmer released a statement in response to the growing tensions. "Well, I think it's obviously important that communities know that we are working to reduce the number of asylum hotels," said the PM's spokesperson. "That is a clear government policy. But it's also important that legitimate protest doesn't cross over into something else, and we would always hope that communities would respect that. "But we are, and I think the Prime Minister is on record as saying, about the need to cut migration, both lawfully and illegal migration, and that is something that you're seeing in working on tirelessly over the last year, whether it be the agreement with the French last week or the agreement with the German government yesterday, that is a priority for this government. "It is something that requires international solutions, and that is why you're seeing this flurry of activity from this government to tackle these gangs from every possible angle.' 'HEADS MUST ROLL' Fury as cops admit ESCORTING pro-migrant protesters to Epping asylum hotel where violent clashes erupted By Ryan Merrifield COPS have admitted escorting pro-migrant protesters to an asylum hotel before violence erupted. Essex Police had initially denied it brought demonstrators from Stand Up to Racism to the Bell Hotel in Epping before clashes with anti-migrant protesters last Sunday (July 17). The force changed its tune after being shown footage of the activists apparently being led by officers from a station to outside the hotel while holding placards. Six people have been charged with offences related to the disorder. However, while accepting it provided a "foot cordon", the force has denied claims today it specifically "bussed" the counter-protesters to the hotel. Essex Police are continuing to face heavy scrutiny over its handling of the protests. In a press conference today, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: "It is not for Essex Police to make a judgement about asylum or immigration policy." He added that the police are there to "make sure that people can go about their rights and business lawfully" and not judge asylum policy. Asked if he is considering his position the Essex Police chief said: "The issue is not about my resignation, the issue is about an effective policing operation." Nigel Farage earlier blasted the police chief and said 'there is no way chief constable BJ Harrington can stay in position.'
Daily Mail
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Boy, 15, is killed when car hits e-bike - as 59-year-old man appears in court charged with teen's murder
A 15-year-old boy has been killed after a car crashed into an e-bike on a quiet residential street. Devon Simmonds was pronounced dead at the scene after the collision in Middleton, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday at around 11.55am. Police have since been called to numerous reports of 'disorder' on the Langley estate in the days after, where 'hundreds' of people have gathered to pay tribute to the teenager. Fireworks were set off at a shopping precinct throughout the night, with residents claiming some were thrown at cars as firefighters attended the scene. Terrence King, 59, was arrested following the incident and appeared today at Manchester Magistrates' Court charged with Devon's murder. He stood in the dock dressed in a grey top and grey pants and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address. King, of Middleton, was not required to enter a plea. He was remanded in custody and will next appear at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court on Monday. Officers have also been investigating an alleged theft leading up to the collision and a 15-year-old arrested on suspicion of theft has since been bailed. Detective Inspector Andrew Naismith, from GMP's Major Incident Team, said: 'This investigation is already moving at considerable pace and we have now secured a murder charge as part of our work. 'There is still much to do, and our officers are carefully combing through all available evidence to build a picture of the events of that day. 'I am aware of footage of the incident circulating online, and I would ask people to not share this footage due to ongoing proceedings, and out of respect for the boy's family, who I would remind people are grieving at this time.' Tributes have been left to Devon close to the scene, and youngsters have been gathering in the area to pay their respects. Flowers, balloons and candles have been left in tribute to the teenager outside the shuttered shops on the precinct of the estate on Tuesday night. One resident who knew of the teenager said: 'He was a top, top lad. Lived on this estate all his life and a lot of people knew him. 'He was very respectable, obviously it's a horrible thing to happen to him and his family.' While a tribute at the scene described him as the 'biggest soul'. Dozens of youths were still at the precinct on Wednesday afternoon, with some spraying graffiti onto the walls. Pervaiz Iqbal, who works at a shop on the precinct, said that 'hundreds' of youths were gathered on the estate from around 6pm last night. He told the Manchester Evening News that some people climbed on top of the precinct, but said that this was not uncommon. His colleague said that fireworks were being set off throughout the night, as late as 11pm, and claimed some were thrown at cars. However, another shopkeeper said that she was not aware of 'trouble', explaining that the youths had gathered for a 'memorial'. Mr Iqbal said: 'A lot of people obviously, the customers are scared coming into the shop, especially old people. 'They are very scared of coming into the shops because a lot of the boys, teenagers, are here and they did fireworks and stuff.' Speaking on Wednesday, Chief Inspector Nicola Hopkinson, of Greater Manchester Police said: 'What happened yesterday was a tragic event that saw a young boy lose their life and our thoughts remain with Devon's family at this time. 'Officers are aware of antisocial behaviour taking place in the local area following this incident. This will not be tolerated and is completely unacceptable. 'We understand the emotions of the wider community and their need to grieve, but we will take action against anyone found to be involved in criminality. 'As part of our investigation, officers will be on hand to deal with any queries members of the public have. Feel free to raise any issues and speak to them if you have any concerns.'
