Probe report still under wraps
A year after a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara, families of the victims are still waiting for the investigation report, adequate compensation and long-term rehabilitation support.
The crash occurred on July 21, 2025, at the school campus in Diabari, killing 35 people and injuring 175 others.
Among the dead were 28 students, three teachers, three guardians and the aircraft’s pilot. Of the injured, 63 were students.
Families who lost their children said they had been unable to recover from the trauma. Their grief has been compounded by frustration over the authorities’ failure to publicly release the investigation findings.
An investigation commission formed after the crash submitted its report and recommendations to the then chief adviser on November 5. However, the report has not yet been officially published.
According to findings attributed to the nine-member commission, the Chinese-made FT-7 training aircraft had no mechanical fault. The investigation reportedly identified the trainee pilot’s limited flying experience and inadequate supervision from the ground as major factors behind the crash.
It also found that a wrong command issued around seven minutes after take-off disrupted the aircraft’s speed and altitude.
The report reportedly noted that the high number of casualties was also linked to buildings constructed close to the runway area in violation of RAJUK regulations and the presence of only one exit route at the school. Although the injured received free medical treatment, families said they had not received adequate financial assistance from the government.
The interim government initially considered providing up to Tk 60 lakh to each injured victim and up to Tk 1 crore to each bereaved family.
The proposed amount was later reduced to Tk 20 lakh for each deceased victim’s family and Tk 5 lakh for each injured person.
Guardians rejected the revised proposal, describing it as inadequate compared with the scale of the losses and the victims’ continuing medical needs.
Representatives of the affected families submitted a written request on June 17 seeking a meeting with the prime minister. However, they said no meeting had been arranged.
The families had earlier met BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on January 21. He reportedly assured them that their legitimate demands would be addressed.
No comprehensive rehabilitation programme has been implemented for the affected families despite the passage of one year.
Many injured children continue to suffer from burn-related complications and require plastic surgery, long-term treatment and psychological support.
In their written request to the prime minister, the families placed five demands.
They sought adequate compensation for bereaved families and treatment expenses for the injured, along with the prompt implementation of a related High Court order.
They also demanded lifelong free medical care for the injured and special medical cards from the Combined Military Hospital.
Other demands include official state recognition and certificates for those killed, declaring July 21 “National Education Mourning Day”, and constructing a mosque in Uttara in memory of the victims.
As Bangladesh marks the first anniversary of the tragedy, the affected families say justice will remain incomplete until the investigation report is made public and meaningful compensation and rehabilitation measures are implemented.
