The identities of five bodies, which were severely burned in the plane crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara, have been confirmed through DNA tests.
All five victims were students of the institution. They are Okia Ferdous Nidhi, Lamia Akhter Sonia, Afsana Akhter Priya, Raisa Moni, and Mariam Umme Afia.
Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) confirmed the identification on Thursday.
The bodies of the students were severely burned in the crash, and DNA samples were collected from 11 claimants to ascertain their identities.
The CID’s forensic DNA laboratory successfully matched the remains with the DNA samples provided by the claimants.
Earlier, CID’s Forensic Department Special Superintendent of Police Shampa Yasmin explained that 11 DNA samples were collected from family members of the deceased at the Combined Military Hospital.
Some of these claimants were multiple members of the same family.
On July 21, a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI fighter jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Uttara.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Office of the Chief Adviser released a list confirming the identities of 22 deceased individuals, placing the official death toll at 29. However, other government agencies have reported differing figures, leaving families and the public in uncertainty.
According to a statement signed by Dr Abu Hossain Md Moinul Ahsan, director at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 22 victims—17 of them children—have been identified and their bodies handed over to families. The list includes several young students aged between 9 and 14.
Named among the children are: Bappi (9), Nafi (9), Samiul Karim, Saad Salauddin, Saima Akter, Fatema Akter, Minhaj Arefin, Humaira, Zunaid, Nusrat Jahan Anika (10), Umair Nur Ashfiq (11), Erikson (13), Arian (13), Nazia (13), Saria Akter (13), Tanvir (14), and Afnan Faiyaz (14).
The five adults listed include: Flight Lieutenant Md Tawkir Islam (pilot), Masuka (37), Rajoni Islam (37), and Mahrin (46).
“DNA samples from these unidentified bodies have already been collected under forensic supervision. The analysis will soon be conducted at the CID laboratory,” Dr Rahman said, appealing for greater public cooperation.
The fatal incident occurred on Monday afternoon when a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College building in Dhaka’s Uttara area, triggering a devastating fire. Preliminary investigations suggest that structural collapse and fire contributed to the high number of casualties.
A formal inquiry is now underway, jointly led by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
As the nation mourns, candlelight vigils and memorial services are being held across the country, while families continue to search for answers—and closure—in the wake of one of the deadliest peacetime tragedies in recent memory.