Health ministry revises air force jet crash death toll to 34

The Ministry of Health today revised the official death toll from the air force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Dhaka, lowering the figure to 34 -- one fewer than previously reported.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the ministry said the update followed a correction from the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), which amended its earlier count of fatalities.

According to the CMH, its morgue received 15 body bags on July 21, the day of the crash. Turag police conducted inquests on 11 full bodies, two partial bodies, and body parts from five others, the statement said.

Of the 11 complete bodies, nine were identified. Eight were handed over to their families on July 21, and the remaining one on July 22.

On July 22, a forensic team from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) collected DNA samples from the two unidentified full bodies, two partial bodies, and body parts of five others. Based on DNA analysis, five additional individuals were identified.

A health ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said CMH had initially reported 15 deaths, including six unidentified victims. However, the DNA confirmed the number of unidentified body was five. So, the CMH authorities revised its count to 14 from 15.

This update brought the overall death toll from the crash down to 34, the official confirmed.

Meanwhile, 48 individuals injured in the crash are still undergoing treatment in various hospitals.