The Health Ministry today revised the official death toll from the July 21 air force jet crash at Dhaka’s Milestone College to 33, following two updates issued within six-and-a-half hours.
In its first update at 10:17am, the ministry had adjusted the toll to 34. A subsequent revision at 4:50pm, announced by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, lowered the figure by two to 33.
The initial correction came after the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) reviewed its records. While 15 body bags were received on the crash day, forensic analysis revealed Turag Police had conducted inquests on 11 intact bodies, 2 partial remains, and body parts from 5 victims.
Nine complete bodies were initially identified, with eight released to families on July 21 and the remaining one on July 22.
On July 22, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) forensic team collected DNA samples from 2 unidentified full bodies, 2 partial remains, and 5 sets of body parts. Subsequent DNA testing confirmed five additional identities.
A ministry official, requesting anonymity, explained that CMH had initially counted six unidentified victims among its 15 fatalities, but genetic analysis showed only five distinct individuals – prompting CMH to revise its count to 14.
The final adjustment occurred after confirming that an unidentified victim reported by Lubana Hospital and a deceased patient at United Hospital were the same person.
Meanwhile, 48 injured survivors continue treatment across multiple hospitals.