Today in History - August 12: One million people become prisoners in their own city
Attribution: AP
On August 12, 1961, the Communist government of East Germany closed the border and began to build a barbed wire and concrete barrier between East and West Berlin.
The installation became known as the Berlin Wall, the most notorious symbol of the Cold War.
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3 days ago
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Today in History - August 12: One million people become prisoners in their own city
1 of 8 Attribution: AP On August 12, 1961, the Communist government of East Germany closed the border and began to build a barbed wire and concrete barrier between East and West Berlin. The installation became known as the Berlin Wall, the most notorious symbol of the Cold War.
9 News
21-07-2025
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Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashes into school, killing at least 19
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a school campus in the capital, Dhaka, shortly after takeoff on Monday, killing at least 19 people including the pilot and injuring more than 100, officials said. According to the military and a fire official, the Chinese-made F-7 BGI aircraft crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College, in the Uttara neighbourhood, in the afternoon as students were attending classes. The Fire Service and Civil Defence said that at least 19 people, mostly students, died and another 116 were rescued with injuries. A significant number sustained burn injuries. Firemen check the wreckage of a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft that crashed onto a school campus in Dhaka. (AP) The Fire Service and Civil Defence said that at least 19 people, mostly students, died and another 116 were rescued with injuries. (AP) The government announced a national day of mourning on Tuesday, with flags to fly at half-staff across the country. The military said the jet took off from Bangladesh Air Force Base AK Khandaker in Dhaka's Kurmitola neighbourhood at 1.06pm local time (5pm AEST) and crashed soon after, catching fire immediately. It said the aircraft "experienced a technical malfunction", but that a high-level committee within the Air Force would conduct an investigation to determine the cause. Flight Lieutenant Md Toukir Islam made "every effort to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas toward a more sparsely inhabited location," the military said. "Unfortunately, the aircraft crashed into a two-storey building" within the school. It is the deadliest airplane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory. Local media indicated most of the injured were students. Relatives panicked at the scene as rescuers, using tricycle rickshaws or whatever was available, transported the injured to local hospitals. The government announced a national day of mourning on Tuesday, with flags to fly at half-staff across the country. (AP) Local media indicated most of the injured were students. (AP) A desperate scene unfolded as the crash occurred. Local residents and rescuers carried wounded students on their laps, while worried parents ran frantically. One father sprinted with his daughter cradled in his arms. A mother cried out, having found her younger child, but desperately searching for her elder. Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus pledged an investigation into the crash, expressing his deep sorrow over the "heartbreaking accident" at Milestone School and College. In a statement, he lamented the "irreparable" loss suffered by "Air Force personnel, students, parents, teachers, staff, and others", calling it "a moment of deep national grief". Rafiqa Taha, a student who was not present at the time of the crash, told The Associated Press by phone that the school, with some 2000 students, offers classes from elementary to twelfth grade. "I was terrified watching videos on TV," the 16-year-old said. "My God! It's my school." Bangladesh aviation plane accident Plane Crash Asia World CONTACT US
9 News
20-07-2025
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At least five dead, including pregnant woman, after ferry fire tragedy
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here A passenger ferry carrying hundreds of people caught fire at sea off Sulawesi island in Indonesia , killing at least five people. More than 280 people were rescued and evacuation efforts were ongoing after the fire erupted on Sunday. The KM Barcelona 5 was headed to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, from Talaud, an island district in the province when it caught fire in waters near Talise, said Vice Admiral Denih Hendrata, commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command. In this photo made from video released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency, a rescue ship approaches the ferry after it caught fire in the waters off Talise Island in North Sulawesi. (AP) He said three navy ships had been deployed, and 284 passengers and crew members had been evacuated so far. The rescue operation included assistance from local fishermen, who saved some survivors wearing life jackets as they were drifting to nearby islands in the choppy waters. Rescuers retrieved five bodies, including a pregnant woman. There were no immediate reports of injuries, and no exact figures of passengers and crew members onboard the ferry. 'We are still focusing on evacuation efforts,' Hendrata said, adding that the cause of the fire was being investigated. Photos and videos released by the National Search and Rescue Agency showed terrified passengers, mostly wearing life jackets, jumping into the sea. Orange flames and black smoke billowed from the burning vessel. At least five people were killed in the tragedy. (AP) Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands where ferries are a common method of travel. Disasters occur regularly, with weak safety enforcement often blamed. Residents of Mentawai Islands found several people stranded on July 14 after a speedboat carrying 18 people capsized during a storm the day before, authorities said. All were in good condition. A ferry sank near Indonesia's resort island of Bali early this month, leaving at least 19 dead and 16 others missing. A two-week search operation involved more than 1,000 rescuers, three navy ships, 15 boats, a helicopter and divers. CONTACT US
