Staff Correspondent

Speakers at a roundtable have said that the tragic crash of a Bangladesh Air Force jet at Milestone School & College in Uttara has exposed alarming weaknesses in the country’s disaster management system.

The roundtable titled “Aviation Emergencies & Civil Risk: Rethinking Disaster Preparedness in Bangladesh”, held in the capital on Thursday.

The roundtable, organised by The Bangladesh Monitor and hosted by Sheraton Dhaka, brought together aviation experts, former military officials, urban planners, and healthcare professionals, all calling for urgent reform in Bangladesh’s aviation emergency response system following the devastating July 2024 crash that claimed the lives of 35 students and teachers, leaving over 100 others injured—many with severe burns.

In his keynote address, Kazi Wahidul Alam, Editor of The Bangladesh Monitor, said: “On that fateful morning, an F-7 fighter jet crash-landed onto the Milestone School premises, turning a space of learning into a scene of horror. Children who had been reciting poems moments earlier were thrust into a catastrophe they were never prepared for. This was not a warzone—it was a classroom.”

He added, “This tragedy compels us—morally and professionally—to ask: Could this have been prevented? And more importantly, were we prepared to manage its aftermath?”

Systemic Failures Exposed

• There was no central command to lead or coordinate emergency efforts at the crash site.

• Victims, including small children with severe burn injuries, were seen wandering helplessly on the streets, with no immediate medical assistance or shelter provided.

• In scenes that shocked the nation, parents were forced to carry their burned children on rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, and even by foot—desperately searching for medical care.

• No public ambulance service arrived at the scene in a timely manner; only a a handful of commercial ambulances were seen responding.

• The only specialized burn treatment hospital in the capital is located over 20 kilometers away from the crash site, with no contingency protocol for rapid medical evacuation in place.

• Several critically injured students and teachers were transported by private citizens or their own family members, losing crucial treatment time.

• A field medical centre should have immediately been set up there to provide immediate medical assistants.

These are not just administrative oversights—they reflect systemic vulnerabilities that endanger lives. The collective unpreparedness witnessed at Milestone is what prompted the urgent need for this roundtable.

Citing practices in countries like India, Indonesia, and Brazil—where military aircraft operate within civil airspace—speakers emphasized the importance of having Civil-Military Joint Response Protocols. These nations conduct regular simulation drills involving not just military and airport staff, but also communities, schools, and hospitals in high-risk zones. They use aviation risk maps in urban planning and establish incident response zones to limit casualties when accidents occur.

Bangladesh, the speakers stressed, must adopt similar strategies and frameworks without delay.

Urgent Recommendations: A Path Forward

The roundtable proposed the formation of a National Aviation Emergency Taskforce, comprising the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), disaster management agencies, emergency services, and local government bodies.

Speakers called for the establishment of clearly defined Civil-Military Emergency Protocols (CMEP), with detailed responsibilities and communication systems.

They also recommended conducting quarterly simulation drills in areas close to both civil and military airports, to train both first responders and residents. Aviation Incident Response Zones (AIRZ) should be created around densely populated flight paths and approach corridors.

In addition, there was a strong call for creating decentralized emergency medical facilities, including strategically placed burn treatment units throughout the city. Speakers also emphasized the need for community education and awareness campaigns in schools, hospitals, and residential neighborhoods located near airports or military bases.

They also urged integration of aviation safety considerations into urban planning regulations, including the Detailed Area Plans (DAPs) under RAJUK and city corporations.

“We Owe It to the Children”

Concluding the session, Kazi Wahidul Alam said, “Let this roundtable not just be a post-tragedy ritual. Let it mark the beginning of a national commitment to disaster preparedness. We owe it

to the children of Milestone. We owe it to every student learning under the shadow of a flight path, to ensure they return home safe.”