The Forensic Department at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) is yet to identify three victims of the deadly fire incident at Chawkbazar's Churihatta area in Dhaka last year.
"Identities of three victims are yet to be confirmed," the department’s chief Associate Prof Dr Sohel Mahmud told media after publishing post-mortem report of 67 victims on Wednesday (Feb 19).
"Those who could not identify their relative can provide DNA samples now, paving the way for identifying the victims," he said.
According to hospital authorities, the fire claimed 71 lives, among which four bodies were handed over to relatives without a post-mortem.
"We handed over 45 bodies to their relatives after identifying those in phases. The remaining 22 bodies underwent DNA profiling and 19 of those have been identified," said Sohel.
Responding to a query on the prolonged time for preparing the post-mortem report, he said, "We collected the DNA samples from the relatives and sent those to the CID (Criminal Investigation Department). It took time to get the DNA reports from them.”
“Besides, transfer of the coroners also caused the delay to prepare the autopsy report," he added.
On the night of Feb 20, 2019, a massive fire tore through several multi-storey buildings on Nanda Kumar Lane in Churihatta area, killing 71 people on the spot and injuring scores more.