By Mutasim Billah
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – The bodies of 23 Bangladeshi passengers who were killed in an accident at Nepal's Trivuban International Airport have been brought back here Monday by a Bangladesh Air Force cargo plane.
The flight landed at 4 p.m. (1000 GMT) at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.
The bodies of 26 Bangladesh passengers have been identified among 49 souls who perished when a US-Bangla Airlines plane crashed March 12 at the airport in Kathmandu with 71 people onboard.
“DNA tests will be required for identifying the three other victims if all other methods fail,” said Kamrul Islam, general manager, marketing support and public relations for airlines.
He said funerals for the victims were held around 5:25 p.m. (1125 GMT).
After the funeral, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader placed wreaths on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Military Secretary to President Maj. Gen. Md Sarwar Hossain also placed wreaths on behalf of President M Abdul Hamid.
The bodies were then handed over to victims’ relatives.
Authorities believe the plane crashed because the pilot failed to follow instructions from the control tower and said recordings between the pilot and the tower indicated confusion about the direction the plane should land.
