Milestone Jet crash: Health ministry revises death toll down to 33
The health ministry revised down the Milestone jet crash death toll twice in six and a half hours yesterday, putting the number at 33 -- two less than the previous day's count.
Four critically injured survivors were being treated at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, which released two other people injured in the crash yesterday, bringing the total number of discharged patients in the incident to four.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The latest discharged patients are Kazi Amzad Said, 20, and Sabuja Begum, 40, the institute's Director Prof Dr Nasir Uddin said at a press briefing around 3:00pm.
Amzad was injured while trying to rescue others during the crash, while Sabuja Begum worked as a caregiver (Aya) at the school.
TOLL REVISION
The ministry revised the death count at 10:17am for the first time. Through its public relation officer, the ministry gave a second revised number at 4:50pm.
In the first revision announced on Facebook, the ministry said the update followed a correction from the Combined Military Hospital (CMH).
According to the CMH, its morgue received 15 body bags on July 21, the day of the crash. Turag police conducted inquest 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 of them were handed over to their families on July 21, and the remaining one the following day.
On July 22, a forensic team from police's 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 that the number of unidentified bodies 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 said.
In the second revision, the ministry said the unidentified deceased at Lubana Hospital and the deceased patient at United Hospital have been confirmed to be the same individual. As a result, the total death toll has come down to 33 from 34.
4 IN CRITICAL CONDITION
Total 34 injured survivors, including 28 children, remained admitted to the burn institute yesterday, Director Dr Nasir said.
Among them, four were in critical condition and receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while nine others were in the "severe" category.
Six of the admitted patients have burn injuries covering over 30 percent of their bodies, the director said.
"Each day, unit heads talk to the patients twice and provide psychological support," Dr Nasir said, adding that more patients are expected to be released in the coming days based on their recovery.
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