Families await bodies of loved ones as CID collects DNA after Mirpur factory fire
Some had been able to tentatively recognise the deceased through clothing or other signs, while others continued to wait for DNA tests to confirm the identities. No bodies had yet been released, leaving families in deep grief and frustration.
The relatives of 16 workers who perished in the Mirpur garment factory fire remained in silent vigil outside the morgue of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, holding onto the painful certainty of loss while awaiting the identification and handover of their loved ones' bodies, until this evening (15 October).
Some had been able to tentatively recognise the deceased through clothing or other signs, while others continued to wait for DNA tests to confirm the identities. No bodies had yet been released, leaving families in deep grief and frustration.
The Forensic Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has begun collecting DNA samples from all 16 victims. Samples are being taken at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue to ensure proper identification before the bodies are released to their families.
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Inspector (Investigation) Mokhlesur Rahman of Rupnagar Police Station explained that while relatives have come forward claiming to identify their loved ones, the police require DNA verification before any official handover.
Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman, director of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said relatives had claimed to recognise some of the victims, but authorities were not yet officially convinced. Visual identification alone, based on clothing or body parts, was insufficient.
Morgue capacity has added to the crisis. "The medical college morgue can hold 40 bodies, while the hospital morgue accommodates 12. The college morgue is already nearly full with unclaimed or unidentified bodies awaiting burial arrangements by Anjum Mufidul," he said.
Police and district administration authorities are coordinating the handover. Once DNA confirmation is completed, bodies will be released to families, while unclaimed remains may remain in the morgue until further notice.
Among the missing was 13-year-old Abdul Alim. His father told The Business Standard that their household struggled daily, and that his son had been studying up to class five while earning a salary of Tk8,000. Abdul was waiting to receive his first payment when the accident occurred.
He added, "We heard about the fire around noon and immediately began searching. The hospital told us to come, and we have been here since 7am, but have not yet been able to see his body. We hope the DNA tests are completed quickly so we can receive him."
Nargis Akter, an 18-year-old, worked on the second floor of the Smart Printing T-shirt factory. Her father explained that she had only been employed for 12 days and that he had tried contacting her after hearing of the fire, but her phone was unreachable. They rushed to the factory as soon as they could.
He recalled, "I had spoken to her the night before; I wanted to tell her to call me in the morning, but I never got the chance to talk to her for one last time. I cannot yet see her body, and we have been waiting since morning for any news about when it will be handed over."
Farzana, another 18-year-old victim who worked at RN Fashion, was identified by her elder brother using photos of her clothes and accessories. Despite recognising her, authorities informed the family that no bodies would be released without DNA confirmation.
Khalid, a 30-year-old worker from Barguna who had been at the factory for two months, spoke through his uncle Humayun Kabir. "He spoke to his mother over a one-minute video call in the early morning before going to work. That was the last time we heard from him. We still cannot identify his body."
Rupnagar Police Station's Sub-Inspector (Investigation) Mokhlesur Rahman said all 16 victims' preliminary inquest reports have been completed. Forensic reports for six of the bodies are underway, and the hospital authorities will determine the next steps regarding DNA testing and official release of the bodies.
