Uttara Jet Crash: 22 bodies handed over to families

Authorities have confirmed the identities of 22 victims who perished in the tragic Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crash in Uttara on July 21, and their bodies have been handed over to grieving families, according to a press release issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Wednesday (July 23).

The devastating crash, which occurred when a military aircraft plummeted into the Milestone School campus in a densely populated area of the capital, has so far claimed at least 29 lives, including students and Air Force personnel. However, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate reports the death toll may have reached 31.

The DGHS stated that the remains of seven victims are still being preserved in morgues pending DNA confirmation. Of these, six are at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), and one is at the Lubana General Hospital and Cardiac Center in Uttara. DNA testing is ongoing to ensure accurate identification before the bodies are returned to their families.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves across the nation, prompting urgent calls for investigation and accountability. As rescue and recovery operations conclude, attention is now turning to the families left shattered by the incident and to the need for systemic safety reviews in aviation and military protocols.

Authorities have assured the public that a full investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash and prevent similar disasters in the future.