Negligence must not claim lives, as seen in the Uttara air crash
The tragic crash of a Bangladesh Air Force FT-7 BGI training aircraft into Milestone School and College in Uttara on Monday has left the nation in shock and mourning.
In just 12 minutes after take-off, what was meant to be a routine training flight turned into one of the deadliest air disasters in recent memory, claiming at least 30 lives, including children and the pilot, and injuring over 170 others.
The scale of the devastation, with grieving parents searching for their children amidst charred classrooms, is a haunting reminder of the fragility of life.
Reports suggest that the aircraft experienced a mechanical failure shortly after leaving BAF Base AK Khandaker.
Flight Lieutenant Md Towkir Islam, in his final moments, made desperate attempts to steer the aircraft away from densely populated areas.
His courage in the face of certain disaster may have prevented an even greater catastrophe, but the crash into the three-storey school building has left an indelible scar on the nation’s conscience.
The aftermath paints a grim picture: hospitals overwhelmed with burn victims, parents weeping outside emergency wards, and entire families devastated.
Over 50 critically injured patients remain in intensive care, with the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery issuing urgent calls for blood donations.
The government’s decision to observe a national day of mourning is both symbolic and necessary, but flags cannot ease the pain endured by those who have lost loved ones at half-mast alone.
This tragedy also raises pressing questions about the safety and reliability of Bangladesh’s ageing fleet of F-7 aircraft, which has experienced technical faults and fatal incidents.
While an Air Force investigation committee has been formed, the findings must not be confined to bureaucratic reports.
Transparent, independent scrutiny is essential to ensure accountability and prevent future disasters.
Moreover, the location of training flights near densely populated areas demands urgent review.
No parent should fear for their child’s safety while at school. National security cannot come at the cost of civilian lives, and proper planning, maintenance, and operational safeguards must be prioritised.
As we pray for the injured and mourn our young victims, we think this tragedy must serve as a turning point.
The lives lost demand not just sympathy, but decisive action to ensure that such a catastrophe is never repeated.