A year after deadly jet crash at Bangladesh school, families demand answers

What the report says

BBC Bengali reports that families and survivors have marked one year since a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Dhaka, killing 36 people, most of them children, and injuring more than 160. The aircraft took off from a Dhaka air force base at about 13:00 local time on 21 July 2025 and came down soon afterward in the Uttara area, turning a busy school day into a fire and rescue disaster.

At a memorial held at a Dhaka hospital on Tuesday, survivors described continuing physical and psychological effects. Sixth-grade student Nure Jannat Yusha, who suffered burn injuries, told the BBC she remains frightened by aircraft and has nightmares. Another pupil, Mehreen, said her injuries have kept her from returning to school and affected her sleep and learning.

The BBC says an official investigation was commissioned after the crash, but its findings have not been publicly released. According to a copy obtained by BBC Bengali, the report cited building-code problems at the school, height-rule violations by more than 600 structures near Dhaka’s international airport, inadequate pilot training and weak ground supervision. It also said the aircraft had no technical fault, differing from an early armed forces statement about a mechanical problem. The Bangladesh Armed Forces did not respond to the BBC’s request for comment.

Families are pressing the government to publish the full report, improve medical support for survivors and provide compensation recommended by investigators. Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain said the government would help survivors needing further treatment, while relatives questioned whether enough has been done to prevent a similar tragedy.