Bangladesh Protests Erupt After Deadly Plane Crash at School in Dhaka

Hundreds of students staged a fiery protest Tuesday near the site of a devastating plane crash in Dhaka, Bangladesh, demanding accountability and compensation for victims' families. The unrest, which forced the shutdown of traffic in parts of the city, came as authorities confirmed that 31 people, including 25 students and a teacher, had died in the tragedy. The protests, which also saw students clash with security officials, reached a boiling point when two senior government officials arrived at the scene, prompting the students to take cover and later disperse.

Key Takeaways:

• The plane crash, which occurred on Monday, was the deadliest in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory, killing 31 people, including 25 students and a teacher.
• The students are demanding compensation for victims' families, accurate publication of the identities of the dead and injured, and an immediate halt to the use of outdated and unsafe training aircraft by the Bangladesh air force.
• The protests, which turned violent at times, saw students clash with security officials and force two senior government officials to take cover and later disperse.
• The student protesters are also demanding the resignation of Education Adviser C.R. Abrar, who they accuse of delaying the announcement of public exams being canceled during Tuesday's mourning.
• Authorities have launched an investigation into the crash, with the military and the High Court judges calling for a technical committee to be formed to probe the incident.
• The condition of about two dozen injured students remains critical, with doctors saying they may need DNA matching to identify the bodies of students who were charred beyond recognition.
• India is sending a team of medical experts, including burn specialists and nurses, to Dhaka to assist in the treatment of the injured.

Statistics:

• 31 people killed in the plane crash, including 25 students and a teacher.
• 78 people were hospitalized, mostly students.
• 20 deaths were reported initially, with seven people dying overnight and four more reported later Monday.
• The pilot of the plane, Flight Lt. Mohammed Toukir Islam, was completing his training and it was his first solo flight.
• The school, Milestone School and College, is in a densely populated area near a metro station with numerous shops and homes.
• The F-7 BGI training aircraft was manufactured by Chinese AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group Co. Ltd and delivered to Bangladesh in 2013.

Sources:

• Associated Press
• Reuters
• Dhaka Tribune
• Jamuna TV