The death toll from the tragic military aircraft crash into Milestone School and College in Uttara has risen to 29, following the death of a nine-year-old boy, Nafis, who was undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
The Ministry of Health said Nafis succumbed to his injuries at about 12:15am on Tuesday (22 July). The child, who had sustained burns over 95 percent of his body, had been receiving intensive care at the institute's ICU.
The fatal crash occurred on Monday afternoon (July 21) shortly after an FT-7 BGI fighter jet of the Bangladesh Air Force took off from the Kurmitola airbase, triggering a massive blaze that claimed numerous lives, mostly children.
Over 150 people were injured in the incident, many sustaining critical burn injuries.
As of now, 67 people remain hospitalised, including 43 at the burn institute, 21 at Dhaka CMH, one at Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, one at Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College Hospital, and one at Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital.
During a press briefing at the burn institute on Tuesday, Syedur Rahman, Special Assistant on Health Affairs to the Chief Adviser, said, “Among the patients, 10 are considered to be out of danger. However, around 30 are in a grey area and 10 of them are still in critical condition.”
The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) reported 31 deaths and 165 injuries, conflicting with the Ministry of Health's figures and creating public confusion.
No reason to underreport jet crash casualty figures: CA’s Press Secretary
In response, Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, Senior Information Officer of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, clarified on Tuesday evening that the official number of deaths stands at 28 at that time, with 68 injured individuals being treated in various hospitals.
He said the ministry’s data should be regarded as accurate, having been cross-checked with ISPR.
So far, the bodies of 22 victims have been identified and handed over to their families. Six unidentified bodies remain at the morgue of the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka. The Ministry of Health is now seeking assistance from relatives to identify these victims.
A ministry media release issued late Tuesday night confirmed that DNA samples have been collected from the unidentified bodies under the supervision of government experts. These will be sent to the CID laboratory for profiling.
Citing Syedur Rahman, the statement urged families of missing people, whose names do not appear on the official lists of the deceased or injured, to provide DNA samples at the CID office in Malibagh.
Identities of 6 deceased in Uttara jet crash yet to be confirmed: Health Ministry
“Only one family has submitted samples so far. Prompt submission from other families will help confirm identities swiftly. We appeal for everyone's cooperation,” the media release added.