The tragic fighter jet crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara on July 21 has left the nation shaken. With over 30 lives lost - mostly young students - and more than a hundred injured, the physical toll is heartbreaking. But beyond the burnt walls and broken glass lies another tragedy: the silent suffering of the survivors.
Many students witnessed their friends and teachers die in front of them. Some were injured, others narrowly escaped. The trauma of that moment, the deafening noise, the heat, the screams, still haunts them. A place that once felt safe and familiar now brings back fear and anxiety.
In the days that followed, students remained at the school ground, confused and heartbroken. Many kept watching videos of the crash on their phones, trying to process what had happened. The sound of planes overhead now triggers panic. These are signs of deep psychological trauma, something that cannot be ignored.
Mental health experts warn that students may suffer from PTSD, nightmares, depression, and long-term emotional damage if support isn't provided immediately. Grief counseling, therapy, and a safe space to express emotions are essential.
This tragedy must be a wake-up call. While we mourn the loss of so many bright lives, we must also focus on the living-on the children trying to carry on with heavy hearts. Milestone College must become not just a school again, but a place of healing.
Let's ensure that these children are not left alone with their pain. Let's listen to them, support them, and remind them: even in the darkest moments, they are not forgotten.
Rimi Sarker
Student
North South University
rimi.sarker01@northsouth.edu
