The Government of Bangladesh is set to finalise a comprehensive compensation package for the victims of the devastating aircraft crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka, which claimed dozens of lives and left many seriously injured. Under the proposed scheme, families of deceased victims may receive compensation of up to Tk10 million, while injured individuals could be eligible for payments of up to Tk6 million, depending on the severity of their injuries.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the proposal will be placed for approval at an inter-ministerial meeting scheduled for 31 December. The compensation framework has been developed following recommendations from a government-appointed investigation commission, which assessed the long-term physical, psychological, financial, and social impact of the tragedy on victims and their families.
The proposal distinguishes between child and adult victims. Families of children and students under the age of 18 who lost their lives in the crash are set to receive the highest compensation, amounting to Tk10 million. In contrast, families of deceased adults will be offered Tk8 million.
Proposed Compensation for the Deceased :
| Category | Compensation Amount |
|---|---|
| Deceased children/students (under 18) | Tk10 million |
| Deceased adults | Tk8 million |
Compensation for injured victims has been structured according to both age and degree of injury, with particular attention given to burn injuries, which were prevalent in this incident.
Compensation for the Injured (Based on Severity)
| Injury Severity | Children | Adults |
|---|---|---|
| Severe burns | Up to Tk6 million | Up to Tk4 million |
| Moderate injuries | Tk3 million | Tk2 million |
| Minor or short-term injuries | Tk1.5 million | Tk1 million |
In addition to immediate compensation, the government has proposed long-term medical and rehabilitation packages for victims requiring extended treatment. Those needing medical care for up to 15 years would receive Tk1.5 million, while individuals requiring 10 years of treatment would be allocated Tk900,000. Victims requiring five years of treatment would receive Tk100,000.
Rehabilitation Support for Long-Term Treatment :
| Duration of Medical Care | Rehabilitation Grant |
|---|---|
| 15 years | Tk1.5 million |
| 10 years | Tk900,000 |
| 5 years | Tk100,000 |
For families of the deceased, 50 per cent of the compensation will be paid as a one-off cash grant, with the remaining amount invested in five-year government savings certificates. In the case of injured children, half of the compensation will be paid in two instalments—one immediately and the second after one year—while the remaining 50 per cent will be held in long-term savings instruments, inaccessible until the child reaches the age of 25. Similar conditions will apply to adult victims, although savings certificates may be encashed after five years.
Funding for the compensation package will be drawn from the National Disaster Management Fund and relevant District Disaster Management Funds.
Notably, the proposal does not include compensation for the family of the young pilot who died in the crash. Official documents from the Ministry of Finance state that the Bangladesh Air Force will address the pilot’s family’s entitlements under its own internal regulations.
An official from the Finance Division noted that the government had previously compensated victims of the July movement and emphasised that the Milestone tragedy, which disproportionately affected children, warranted a similarly robust response.
The incident occurred on 21 July, when a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed into a building on the Milestone School and College campus in Diabari, Uttara. The disaster resulted in approximately 35 fatalities and 172 injuries, the majority of whom were schoolchildren, many suffering severe burn injuries.
The interim government has expressed hope that the approval of this compensation package will provide meaningful financial relief and a measure of justice to the affected families as they continue to recover from one of the country’s most heartbreaking tragedies.