At least 52 people were killed in police firing in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area on August 5, 2024, according to a BBC Eye investigation published on Wednesday.

The mass killing occurred on the same day then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted and fled to India following weeks of anti-government demonstrations.

Initial reports at the time suggested 30 dead in Jatrabari on that day.

To uncover the sequence of events, BBC Eye examined hundreds of photos, videos, eyewitness testimonies, and conducted several on-site visits to Jatrabari.

While various media and UN reports had previously addressed the incident, BBC says its investigation sheds new light on how the violence started and escalated, and provides new figures on the death toll.

A spokesperson for Bangladesh Police said, “During the July uprising, such tragic events occurred, where some police personnel used excessive force and acted unprofessionally while attempting to control protesters.”

A critical piece of video evidence, recorded by protester Miraj Hossain who was later killed in the shooting, shows the initial moments of police firing at 2:43 PM near the main gate of Jatrabari Police Station, it said.

The video, extracted from his phone by family members, reveals army personnel initially stationed in front of the protesters suddenly withdrawing before police opened fire.

Hasina approved lethal force against Bangladesh protesters: BBC report

Other CCTV footage shows protesters fleeing through alleys as gunfire erupted. Another video captured police kicking injured people lying on the ground, according to the BBC report.

The BBC also clarified misinformation surrounding a viral video that was previously believed to show the August 5 incident.

Metadata analysis and visual inconsistencies revealed that the viral footage was actually from August 4 when a separate clash occurred outside Jatrabari Police Station.

Drone footage analysed by the BBC showed police firing continued at least until 3:17 PM on August 5.

The video also captured bodies lying on the highway and injured protesters being rushed to hospitals in vans and rickshaws.

Initially, it was believed around 30 protesters were killed. After verifying hospital records, interviews with families, media reports, and social media posts, BBC found that at least 52 civilians were killed that day.

Besides, six police officers were reportedly killed when a group of protesters later set fire to the police station.

Cases have been filed against several Jatrabari police officials, including then-Officer-in-Charge Abul Hasan, who was present during the shooting.

Police said they have begun necessary proceedings to hold those responsible accountable.

Sources: BBC Eye, BBC Bangla