On 21 July 2025, a training aircraft operated by the Bangladesh Air Force crashed into Milestone School and College in the Uttara neighbourhood of Dhaka, resulting in 36 deaths and over 160 injuries. The incident marked the country’s deadliest aviation disaster in decades. The school, a private institution, was filled with students at the time of the crash, transforming the campus into a scene of destruction and flames within minutes.
Earlier this week, families, survivors, and students gathered at a memorial in Dhaka to mark one year since the tragedy. Many attendees, including several students bearing visible burn scars, described ongoing psychological and physical struggles. Survivors reported symptoms including insomnia, nightmares, anxiety about aircraft, and difficulty concentrating on academic work. Some students have been unable to return to school due to their injuries, while others experience persistent trauma and fear.
An investigation committee formed by authorities submitted its findings to the government last November, but the full report has not been made public. According to a copy obtained by BBC Bengali, the investigation identified multiple contributing factors to the crash. The report noted that the pilot lacked sufficient flight training and proper ground supervision, contradicting an earlier statement by the Bangladesh Armed Forces that the aircraft had experienced a mechanical fault. The investigation also found that Milestone School violated building codes and that over 600 structures near Dhaka’s international airport, including schools and hospitals, had breached height restrictions.
Victims’ families and survivors are calling for the government to release the complete investigation report and implement recommendations, including compensation measures and improved support for those undergoing ongoing medical treatment. They are also raising concerns about safety standards at the school and surrounding area, noting that the building where the crash occurred had only one exit for 800 to 900 students. During the memorial, government officials including Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain pledged continued medical support for survivors, though compensation has yet to be distributed as recommended in the committee report.
The incident has prompted broader questions about aviation safety regulations and flight training standards in Bangladesh. Hundreds of student protesters had clashed with police in the days following the crash, demanding accountability and regulatory changes regarding training flight operations in populated areas.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI