CID identifies 11 out of 19 unrecognizable Chawkbazar victims using DNA tests

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has identified 11 out of 19 victims who were burned beyond recognition at the Chawkbazaar Churihatta fire that killed more than 70 people.

The CID confirmed the identity of the dead bodies following DNA tests.

“We have submitted the DNA test reports to the authorities today. They will handle the matter,” special superintendent of CID, Rumana Akhtar told reporters on Wednesday.

The identities of the 11 victims will be disclosed in a media briefing later, she added.

Back in February 20, multiple residential building riddled with clandestine chemical factories were burned down in an inferno which was brought under control by fire fighters after 15 hours of relentless effort.

The fire had originated from Wahed Mansion, which housed multiple perfume factories that worked with highly explosive ethanol.

The next day, fire service officials sent 70 body bags to the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) morgue.

However, DMCH Forensic Department head Dr Sohel Mahmud told reporters that they had received only 67 bodies.

Regarding the discrepancy in number of dead bodies, Fire Service additional director Tarek Hasan Bhuiyan said that they had sent 70 bodies in total.

“Some bodies had only parts of burnt bodies. Maybe the total number of complete bodies was 67. Some bodies were so burned that they could not even be recognized as dead bodies,” the fire service official had said,” he added.

The DMCH then identified 48 dead bodies by calling in relatives of the victims The rest of the bodies were handed over to the CID for DNA tests.