Scars Remain One Year After Deadly Dhaka School Crash: Families Call for Justice
Today marks one year since a devastating incident rocked Dhaka, when a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet tragically crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Uttara. The accident on July 21 last year claimed the lives of 35 people, including 28 young students, three teachers, three parents, one school attendant, and the pilot. The tragedy left a community in deep grief and families still seeking answers and accountability.
Among the victims was Borhan Uddin Bappi, a third-grade student. His mother, Bithi Akter, remembers dropping him off at school that morning, a memory now tainted by the horrific events that followed. Borhan suffered severe burns and died the next day. The family, still haunted by his memory, has since moved his younger brother to a different school.
Many other families endured similar heartbreak. Siblings Tahia Ashraf Nazia (sixth grade) and Arian Ashraf Nafi (third grade) also died from extensive burns. Navid Nawaz Deepto, a seventh-grade student, spent 97 days in the hospital, undergoing 36 surgeries. He still requires regular medical visits. Rupi Barua Roya, then a fifth-grader, spent three months recovering from severe burns that fused her fingers together, impacting her ability to attend school and causing deep psychological distress.
Following the crash, an investigation commission was formed. Its report concluded that pilot error during take-off was the primary cause. The report also found that the school building did not meet safety codes, having only one staircase instead of the required three. This design flaw likely increased the number of casualties. The commission recommended moving all primary Air Force flight training outside Dhaka for public safety.
In the past year, families of the victims have pursued legal action. A writ petition filed in the High Court in February this year challenged the authorities’ failure to publish the investigation report and act against those responsible for approving the school’s construction. The High Court later issued a rule questioning why the lack of public disclosure and adequate compensation should not be declared unlawful.
The government offered a one-time compensation of Tk 2 million for each person killed and Tk 500,000 for each injured victim. However, many families have rejected this, stating that no amount of money can replace their lost children or adequately address ongoing medical and rehabilitation needs. They emphasize their desire for a fair trial, accountability for responsible institutions, and a clear legal process.
While Milestone School is providing free education and physiotherapy to some injured students, the profound physical and emotional scars remain. Families continue to demand a thorough investigation, justice for the victims, and long-term support for those who survived but face a challenging future.
