Prominent Bangladeshi cultural figures have expressed deep sorrow and outrage following Monday’s tragic plane crash that struck Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara area, killing at least 19 people and injuring over 100, many of them children.
The crash, which occurred when a Bangladesh Air Force F‑7 BGI training jet plummeted into the school compound, has sent shockwaves across the country. As emergency services continue to rescue and treat victims, celebrities from various sectors have turned to social media to share condolences, demand accountability, and amplify emergency appeals.
Renowned filmmaker and Prime Minister’s Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki described the incident as “a tragedy on a different scale.” In a Facebook post, he wrote: “Already 16 people are confirmed to be dead! Many are still in critical condition! Most of them are young kids.”
Popular actor Arifin Shuvoo offered a heartfelt prayer in Bengali, saying, “May Allah grant us the strength to endure such tearful days. Prayers for every soul fighting between life and death.” His message was accompanied by the hashtag #PrayersForMilestone.
Singer and journalist Elita Karim wrote, “Praying for the children, teachers and their families,” followed by a somber emoticon and the hashtag #UttaraMilestone.
Rizvi questions BAF flight operations over densely populated Uttara area
Musician Bappa Mazumder kept his message short but powerful, simply writing: “Prayers for the little children.”
Many celebrities have also been playing an active role in circulating urgent information. Actress Q Nawshaba Ahmed, Elita Karim, singer Ahmed Hasan Sunny, filmmaker Mabrur Rashid Bannah, dancer Ridy Sheikh, singer Joy Shahriar, food vlogger Mahathir Muhammad Fahim, cartoonist Morshed Mishu and others have been consistently sharing appeals for blood donations, updates on missing students, and hospital needs through their platforms.
Acclaimed director Ashfaque Nipun posted, “Prayers for the deceased and the victims of the Milestone School & College plane crash. May Allah ease their pain.”
Popular host Md Golam Kebria Sarkar, widely known as RJ Kebria, shared a harrowing account: “Oh Allah! I can’t take this. Those children were supposed to return home from school. Some are now wandering with burnt clothes, traumatized, seeking help. These things are unbearable. Please protect our children.”
Cartoonist duo Manik N Ratan expressed their anguish, stating, “Every time I look at news of the plane crash, my heart breaks again. I simply can’t bear it.”
Fashion designer Habiba Akter Shurovy urged followers to act responsibly in the wake of the tragedy. “Only share posts asking for help—blood, missing persons, verified updates,” she wrote.
She strongly condemned exploitative content creation, saying, “Those posting videos with burnt children’s images and voiceovers to earn views are shameless. This trend must stop to preserve dignity during national crises.”
One of the most emotionally charged reactions came from content creator and actor Salman Mohammad Muqtadir. In a lengthy post, he reflected on what he called the country’s “cursed loop” of neglect and tragedy.
“I’m trying my best to keep silent,” he wrote. “This country is cursed with its own people. Fighter planes crashing over schools calling them ‘training’ planes… What happened today could have been easily avoided. But we cry, regret, and move on. We deserve the death we get because we allow the country to run like this.”
The collective grief and public outcry reflect not just sorrow, but growing frustration over recurring systemic failures. Many cultural figures are calling for immediate accountability and long-term structural reform to ensure such tragedies are never repeated.
The government has declared Tuesday, July 22, as a day of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast and special prayers to be held across the country.