Bodies of 7 Children Remain Unidentified; To Be Handed Over After DNA Testing
The bodies of victims from the tragic crash of a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft at the Milestone School and College campus in the capital's Uttara area will be handed over to their families as soon as identification is confirmed. For those whose identities cannot be verified immediately, DNA tests will be conducted to confirm identification before the remains are returned to families.
On Monday, July 21, the Press Wing of the Principal Advisor's Office stated that the Principal Advisor is monitoring the treatment of the injured round-the-clock. “To ensure uninterrupted medical care, the general public is earnestly requested not to crowd the hospital premises unnecessarily,” the statement added.
Earlier in the day, Deputy Press Secretary to the Principal Advisor, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, reiterated the call, saying, “To allow for smooth medical operations following the aircraft crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara, Principal Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has requested the public to refrain from gathering near the hospitals.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has confirmed the deaths of 17 individuals in the crash, while the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) has reported the number at 20. According to the Ministry, seven of the deceased were children whose bodies were so badly burned that they could not be visually identified.
At a press conference, Professor Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Principal Advisor for the Ministry of Health, stated, “Seven of the bodies remain unidentified. These are absolutely body remains. Efforts are underway to collect DNA samples.”
He added, “Seventeen people have died. According to our information, all of them were children. Among those who were burned but survived, the older individuals include rescue workers, members of the armed forces, firefighters, two teachers, and a staff member. Everyone else is a child. The number of children is over one hundred. A few have gone home after receiving initial treatment, and around 15 adults are among the injured.”
Patients have been admitted to seven different hospitals, with the majority currently receiving treatment at the National Burn Institute and the Combined Military Hospital (CMH).
"Among the first group of patients, 44 are currently admitted. Additionally, three have died. Three patients were transferred from the Burn Institute to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where one has since passed away," Professor Rahman stated.
“So far, 12 deaths have occurred at CMH. In total, 88 people are being treated across various hospitals, and the death toll stands at 17,” he said. “Although some sources are reporting 19 or 20 deaths, we cannot confirm those figures at this time, but they may vary.”
He also mentioned, “Nine patients are currently on ventilator support in the ICU. More beds are being prepared at DMCH and other facilities to accommodate additional critical cases.”
