Mig-21 crashes near Jamnagar, four die

A Mig-21 fighter plane crashed in a residential area killing four persons, including two children, and injuring nine others in Lakhabawal village, about 20 kms from Jamnagar city yesterday morning.

The village is located near the Reliance's refinery. Pilot of the aircraft , flying officer G.S. Ghuman, safely bailed out four kilometre off the village, when the engine failed, the IAF sources said.

The Mig-21 aircraft lost its control and hit a tree in the village and then an electric pole before catching fire. It damaged five houses, including a pre-primary school.

About 50 children study in the pre-primary school. But since the mishap took before the school timing, there were only nine children in the school. Two of them died due to head injuries.

According to Arun Vyas, superintendent, G G Hospital, the deceased include Murtza Mamad (5 yrs), Parina Osman (5 yrs), Ismail Suleman (22 yrs) and Abdul Karim Osman(50 yrs). Fourteen injured were admitted to the Gurugobind Singh Hospital in Jamnagar and 12 were given treatment on the spot.

The chief minister has declared a cash relief. While the injured will be treated free of cost, Rs. 50,000 each will paid to the adults' families and Rs 25000 each to the children's families from his relief fund.

On Saturday, the Air commodore Amul Kapoor will disburse the cash relief to the deceased's families, said the group captain S. Sinha.