Milestone tragedy marks one year today

Today marks one year since the Milestone tragedy. On July 21 last year, a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into the Haider Ali Academic Building of Milestone School and College in Dhaka's Uttara's Diabari area, killing 36 people. Among the deceased were students, teachers, guardians and the pilot. A total of 175 people were injured, including 63 students. While many have returned to classes after long treatment, most of the injured students have yet to overcome their fear, trauma and psychological scars. Parents say many children panic at the sound of aircraft, cry in their sleep at night, experience sudden anger outbursts and struggle to concentrate on their studies. Mental health experts say these children urgently need long-term psychological rehabilitation and regular counselling.

Sanjida Belayet, mother of Jaiyana Mahbub, a sixth-grader injured in the accident, said her daughter's mental state is deteriorating and she often says, "It would have been better if I had died." She said that even after a year, no effective rehabilitation plan has been implemented for the affected families.

The families of the deceased and injured have demanded adequate financial compensation from the current government, lifelong free medical treatment and a special medical card from CMH for the injured, state martyr status for the deceased, and the declaration of July 21 as 'National Education Mourning Day'. They have also called for the construction of a mosque in Uttara in memory of the deceased.

To help students overcome their trauma, a special 'Mental Healing' programme was organised in Pubail, Gazipur, by the Rotary Club of Banani Dhaka and Chuti Resort. Students participated in meditation, drawing, sports and counselling sessions. Saplings were also planted in memory of their deceased classmates.

Milestone School and College organised a prayer and memorial meeting at the Diabari campus to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy on Monday. Prayers were offered for the departed souls and the recovery of the injured.

To honour the memory of the deceased and express solidarity with the injured, the accident site will be open to all today. The programme will include a guard of honour, floral tributes, a minute of silence, prayers, reminiscence sessions, and an exhibition of photos and messages of the deceased. Parents will also participate.

It may be noted that on July 21, 2025, around 12:18pm, a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into the Haider Ali Academic Building of Milestone School and College in Diabari, Uttara, during school hours. The crash severely damaged the building's staircase and two classrooms of primary-level students, resulting in the tragic loss of life and injuries to students, teachers and guardians.