Relatives wait for DNA test results

Death toll climbs to 69

Relatives of the deceased and the missing persons are still passing hard times as they are yet to know anything regarding their dear ones. Almost one week has passed since the devastating fire in Chawkbazar, which has so far claimed 69 lives. After Monday, another victim of the Chawkbazar fire succumbed to injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) early yesterday, taking the death toll to 69. Sohag, 22, succumbed to his injuries at the burn unit of the hospital around 1:45am, said DMCH police camp in-charge Inspector Bachchu Mia. Earlier on Monday, Anwar Hossain, 55, a rickshaw-puller succumbed to his burn injuries at the hospital around 10pm.

So far, a total of 50 bodies were handed over to their relatives till yesterday. Nineteen more unidentified bodies are currently in hospital mortuaries.

To identify Nurul Haq, who remains untraced since the Chawkbazar fire tragedy, his elder brother has given blood and salive samples to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police for DNA testing.

Aynul Haq, elder borther of the missing Nurul, confirmed this to The Independent yesterday. “The CID could not give any information about my brother. I have seen all the bodies kept in the morgues of different hospitals. But my brother’s wasn’t among them,” he said.

He wanted to know from this reporter how much time it would take to find his brother’s body.

Nurul Haq used to sell vegetables in front of the Hazi Wahed Mansion, the building from where the deadly blaze originated in Chawkbazar.  

Raima, wife of Nurul, lives in Kisoreganj with their only son. They have come to Dhaka and are staying at a relative’s house ever since the incident.

The CID said they had collected 38 DNA samples for identification of the charred bodies.

A CID team  is working at the DMCH to cross-match the DNA samples of the victims who died in the Chawkbazar tragedy.

Johrul Haque Sumon has given blood samples for DNA testing to find his wife Halima, who remains untraced.

His five-year-old daughter, Morium, too gave saliva samples.

“We’re in shock. We can’t do anything but wait for the result of the DNA test,” said Sumon.

Johrul said Halima had gone to Churihatta to buy medicines for their daughter, but she did not come back.

They have another five-month-old daughter. “I am pain and confusion with two little children. I don’t know what to do,” said Johrul.

Like Aynul and Johrul, many other people who have lost their near and dear ones in the fire incident arewaiting outside the DMCH for the results of the DNA test.

Earlier, the CID had collected 257 DNA samples from 67 bodies.

In total, 14 of the unidenfied bodies can be identified through blood and saliva samples. They are likely to be identified within 15 days.

To identify the five other identified bodies, the CID has collected bone pieces. It may take more than three weeks to ascertain their identitie as they have been charred beyond recognition.

 

Relatives wait for DNA test results

Death toll climbs to 69

Relatives of the deceased and the missing persons are still passing hard times as they are yet to know anything regarding their dear ones. Almost one week has passed since the devastating fire in Chawkbazar, which has so far claimed 69 lives. After Monday, another victim of the Chawkbazar fire succumbed to injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) early yesterday, taking the death toll to 69. Sohag, 22, succumbed to his injuries at the burn unit of the hospital around 1:45am, said DMCH police camp in-charge Inspector Bachchu Mia. Earlier on Monday, Anwar Hossain, 55, a rickshaw-puller succumbed to his burn injuries at the hospital around 10pm. So far, a total of 50 bodies were handed over to their relatives till yesterday. Nineteen more unidentified bodies are currently in hospital mortuaries. To identify Nurul Haq, who remains untraced since the Chawkbazar fire tragedy, his elder brother has given blood and salive samples to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police for DNA testing. Aynul Haq, elder borther of the missing Nurul, confirmed this to The Independent yesterday. The CID could not give any information about my brother. I have seen all the bodies kept in the morgues of different hospitals. But my brothers wasnt among them, he said. He wanted to know from this reporter how much time it would take to find his brothers body. Nurul Haq used to sell vegetables in front of the Hazi Wahed Mansion, the building from where the deadly blaze originated in Chawkbazar. Raima, wife of Nurul, lives in Kisoreganj with their only son. They have come to Dhaka and are staying at a relatives house ever since the incident. The CID said they had collected 38 DNA samples for identification of the charred bodies. A CID team is working at the DMCH to cross-match the DNA samples of the victims who died in the Chawkbazar tragedy. Johrul Haque Sumon has given blood samples for DNA testing to find his wife Halima, who remains untraced. His five-year-old daughter, Morium, too gave saliva samples. Were in shock. We cant do anything but wait for the result of the DNA test, said Sumon. Johrul said Halima had gone to Churihatta to buy medicines for their daughter, but she did not come back. They have another five-month-old daughter. I am pain and confusion with two little children. I dont know what to do, said Johrul. Like Aynul and Johrul, many other people who have lost their near and dear ones in the fire incident arewaiting outside the DMCH for the results of the DNA test. Earlier, the CID had collected 257 DNA samples from 67 bodies. In total, 14 of the unidenfied bodies can be identified through blood and saliva samples. They are likely to be identified within 15 days. To identify the five other identified bodies, the CID has collected bone pieces. It may take more than three weeks to ascertain their identitie as they have been charred beyond recognition.