Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, has firmly stated that there is “no scope to hide the number of casualties in Bangladesh.”
“As someone who has reported on major disasters from 2002 to 2024, I can say with confidence that concealing casualty figures in this country is virtually impossible,” he said in a Facebook post.
His remarks came amid growing concerns from students and families about inconsistencies in the reported death toll.
Referring to Tuesday’s tense situation—when angry students and guardians confined the two advisers and the Press Secretary himself—Shafiqul Alam said: “Yesterday, we spent nine hours at the school. Although we could have left earlier, the advisers were committed to resolving the situation peacefully, without the use of force. They were prepared to stay as long as necessary. We only left once the situation had calmed and order was restored.”
Expressing condolences to the families of those who died, officials described the incident as a national tragedy.
“The students and teachers who lost their lives are martyrs. This tragedy must strengthen our resolve to improve national air safety. The government remains committed to enhancing air defense systems and ensuring that such disasters never happen again,” the post reads.
Government advisers, including the Press Secretary, spent over nine hours at the Milestone College campus, meeting with grieving families, students, and teachers. The atmosphere was one of deep sorrow and frustration, with many students sharing their traumatic experiences and seeking clarity on the number of injured, missing, and deceased.
To ensure transparency in the identification process, the advisers instructed the school to cross-reference attendance records from the day of the incident. Additionally, a control room is being set up on campus to provide regular updates on casualties, based on verified data from the school registry.
The advisers also recommended involving both current and former students in the control room’s operations to build public trust and ensure data accuracy. The control room is expected to be fully functional starting today.
The Ministry of Health continues to provide regular updates on the condition of those hospitalized, with logistical and medical support from the armed forces. Officials reiterated that the government has no reason or intention to underreport figures related to deaths or injuries.
The Ministry of Health continues to provide regular updates on the condition of those hospitalized, with logistical and medical support from the armed forces. Officials reiterated that the government has no reason or intention to underreport figures related to deaths or injuries.
