Many students of Milestone have shared their traumatic experiences from the recent plane crash and expressed frustration over conflicting reports regarding the number of casualties. In response, two senior advisors have instructed the college administration to set up an on-campus control room to ensure transparency, according to the Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam.
He shared the information on Wednesday (July 23) via his verified Facebook account.
Shafiqul Alam stated that the advisors visited Milestone College to meet grieving families, students, and teachers. “The entire atmosphere was one of sorrow and anger,” he wrote. Students voiced their distress and frustration over misinformation surrounding the number of deceased.
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Referring to his experience covering major national tragedies from 2002 to 2024, he added, “It is nearly impossible to hide the actual death toll in Bangladesh. Families initially report their loved ones as missing, and the real numbers emerge as authorities and hospitals release data.”
He emphasized that Milestone College can verify student status through daily attendance records. The control room, once fully operational (likely within the day), will regularly release updates on casualties, cross-checking with the college registrar. The advisors also recommended including both current and former students in the control room team.
The Ministry of Health is providing regular updates on the injured being treated in hospitals, and the army is actively assisting in the coordination.
Shafiqul Alam clarified, “The government has no reason or intention to hide the number of dead or injured.” He mentioned that the advisors stayed at the college for nearly nine hours and refrained from any forced actions, opting instead for a peaceful resolution.
He concluded by saying, “Our hearts are heavy for the students and teachers who lost their lives. They are all martyrs. This is a national tragedy. We must work together to improve our air defense systems so that such incidents never happen again. The government is committed to zero accidents in our airspace and to strengthening national security.”
