Identifying the 10 tourists killed in a fire at Tuptup Resto & Resort in Cox’s Bazar could take up to two weeks as authorities must send DNA samples to Dhaka for testing, with no such laboratory available in the district.
The bodies are being kept at the morgue of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital pending confirmation of their identities through DNA tests at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) forensic DNA laboratory in Dhaka.
Meanwhile, a case was filed at Ukhiya police station on Saturday night against the resort owners in connection with the fire.
A 5-member investigation committee formed by the Cox’s Bazar district administration, led by Additional District Magistrate Tasnim Jahan, visited the scene on Sunday morning.
According to sources at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, authorities have initiated DNA testing to establish the identities of those killed in the fire at the resort. However, the absence of a DNA laboratory and the necessary equipment in Cox’s Bazar has left them dependent on the CID’s forensic DNA laboratory in Dhaka.
As most of the bodies were severely burned, their identities could not be confirmed immediately. Blood samples or buccal swabs collected from the victims’ relatives will be sent to Dhaka for comparison with samples taken from the bodies.
The bodies will be handed over to the families once the test results are available.
Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital Resident Medical Officer Dr Subuktogin Mahmud Sohel said it could take several days to send the samples to Dhaka and receive the reports. The bodies will remain preserved at the hospital morgue until their identities are confirmed.
Dr Sohel said DNA testing was the most reliable scientific method for identifying burned or disfigured bodies. He added that the CID forensic laboratory in Dhaka was the country’s primary facility for advanced forensic DNA testing.
Samples from major murder cases and accidents in different districts are also sent to Dhaka for DNA testing, he said. However, he stressed the need to establish a DNA laboratory in a major district city such as Cox’s Bazar.
Relatives of the victims have been waiting outside the morgue at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital since Sunday morning. This reporter spoke to 2 of them.
A relative named Samushuddha said 4 bodies, including that of a child, had been sent to the hospital morgue. He said he had identified the child by a bracelet on the child’s hand, while the identities of the others would be established through DNA testing.
He broke down in tears while recalling memories of the deceased.
Another relative, Ripon, said samples had been collected from 2 locations for DNA testing: the CID office in Dhaka and the bodies kept at the Cox’s Bazar morgue. Comparing the samples would allow the families to take the bodies home, he said.
Both relatives called for the DNA tests to be completed as quickly as possible so the bodies could be handed over to their families. They also demanded the establishment of a modern DNA testing laboratory in the Chittagong division or Cox’s Bazar to reduce delays in investigating major accidents and crimes.
Local residents said major accidents, fires, maritime incidents and the recovery of unidentified bodies frequently occurred in Cox’s Bazar, a major tourism destination. They said local forensic DNA testing facilities could speed up investigations, reduce difficulties and help families receive the bodies of their loved ones sooner.
The case filed at Ukhiya police station on Saturday night names the resort owners and others in connection with the fire. Those named include resort owner Tanvir Ahmad, also known as Tanvir Sultan Mia; his business partner, Niaz Morshed; resort manager Mohammad Sumon; and 1 other person.
The 5-member investigation committee formed by the Cox’s Bazar district administration, led by Additional District Magistrate Tasnim Jahan, visited the scene on Sunday morning.
