Braving the crisis: Bangladesh Scouts’ response to the Uttara plane crash
On 21 July 2025, a Bangladesh Air Force FT-7 BGI training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Uttara, Dhaka, killing at least 32 people, including students and staff, and injuring over 170 others. As chaos unfolded and emergency services rushed to the scene, Bangladesh Scouts stepped up as immediate responders, exemplifying the true spirit of humanitarian service.
Responding within moments of hearing the news, Scouts assisted in evacuating injured individuals, clearing access routes for ambulances, and comforting distressed students and families. Some Scouts were deployed to transport victims to nearby hospitals, while others remained stationed at medical facilities, helping to manage the overwhelmed burn units and maintain calm in waiting areas.
Personal testimonies, like that of Rover Scout Mahmudul Hasan Sazid, paint a vivid picture of the emotional weight the day carried. Sazid, like many others, abandoned his own comfort and meals to rush to the site. “The children were crying, panicked. We were reuniting them with their parents, clearing the roads. People kept blocking the way. We moved them, again and again,” he shared.
Ahnaf, another Rover Scout, not only helped direct crowds and carry equipment for the fire service but even gave his own uniform shirt to a student who had lost everything in the fire. “I continued bare-bodied with the rescue,” he said.
The plane crash has resulted in multiple injuries, creating an urgent demand for blood donations. In response, some Scouts have generously donated blood, while others are working tirelessly to find more donors to aid the injured.
This tragic event highlights how Scouting is more than uniforms and badges—it is a commitment to humanity, preparedness, and to acting with compassion and courage in times of dire necessity. The bravery and selflessness exhibited by the Bangladesh Scouts serve as an inspiration to the global Scouting community and stand as a reminder of the power of youth-led humanitarian action.
