Families of the 10 tourists killed in a fire at Tuktuk Restro and Resort near Patuartek beach along Marine Drive in Cox’s Bazar are facing a painful wait as authorities prepare for DNA tests to identify the bodies.
The bodies were kept in the mortuary of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital on Saturday evening. As of 2:00 pm on Sunday, none had been handed over to the families. Hospital officials said the identification process may take three to four weeks.
Relatives waiting outside the mortuary demanded expedited DNA testing, the prompt handover of the bodies and exemplary punishment for those responsible for the deaths.
Dewan Faisal, who lost his wife, Nasrin Akter Mukta, in the fire, said he had little hope of getting her back but wanted to ensure that no other family suffered a similar tragedy.
Faisal, who lived with his wife in Ashulia, Savar, and is a vice-president of the Dhaka District (North) unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, called for accountability if the resort had been operated without the necessary approvals and fire safety arrangements or if warnings had been ignored.
He urged the prime minister to ensure justice, saying that although the state could not return the deceased to their families, it could hold those responsible accountable.
Naeemuddin lost his elder brother, sister-in-law and their two children in the fire. He alleged that adequate emergency exits and proper fire safety measures might have prevented the deaths.
He called for an investigation into the building materials, its location, and why the fire spread so rapidly.
Jewel Rana, who lost his university friend Nahidur Rahman, also demanded exemplary punishment for anyone found responsible. He said officials should also be investigated for negligence in carrying out their duties.
Resident Medical Officer of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital Subaktagin Mahmud Sohel said officials would collect samples from the bodies and send them to the Criminal Investigation Department’s DNA laboratory in Dhaka.
Samples would also be collected from close relatives, including parents, siblings or children of the deceased, to match DNA profiles and confirm identities before the bodies were handed over.
He said the hospital did not have its own DNA testing laboratory. Its responsibility was to collect and transfer the samples, while the relevant authorities would conduct the tests and establish the identities.
Although the process could take time, he added that efforts would be made to complete the tests on a priority basis.
Cox’s Bazar Life Desk
