Rescue workers
By Steve Dada and Chiemelie Ezeobi
No fewer than seven out of the 29 identifiable bodies of victims of last Sunday’s Dana Air crash were released yesterday to some of the bereaved families and relatives of the dead passengers.
THISDAY gathered that the bodies were released after confirmation that their DNA had matched those of their family members, who earlier in the week had undergone a saliva smear test, to fast track identification.
The Dana airplane, which was flying in from Abuja, plunged into a thickly populated neighbourhood in a Lagos suburb, killing all the 153 passengers and crewmembers, in addition to six persons on the ground, some few minutes to landing at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
Although no person was rescued alive, search efforts recovered about 149 bodies, 29 of which were identifiable and were deposited at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.
The other bodies, which were charred beyond recognition, were taken to the Mainland Mortuary.
A senior LASUTH official, who pleaded anonymity, told THISDAY that the identification process would continue until all the donors have gone through the tests, adding that the DNA testing would eliminate any chance of a mix-up.
A senior LASUTH official, who pleaded anonymity, told THISDAY that the identification process would continue until all the donors have gone through the tests, adding that the DNA testing would eliminate any chance of a mix-up.
He, however, could not confirm the actual number of bodies released, adding that there was no need to withhold the bodies once the DNA samples of the deceased matched those of their relatives.
When asked what would happen to the bodies in the event of a mix-up, even after the DNA test, the official said the hospital does not entertain such fears since the best hands in pathology were involved in the test.
He said: “We conducted a thorough test and so no mix-up is possible. There is absolutely no room for mistakes because the best hands were brought in from the University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, under the leadership of the chief pathologist, Prof John Obafunwa.”
Relations and family members of the deceased passengers had stormed the hospital on Monday to collect the bodies of their loved ones but were rebuffed because DNA tests had not been conducted on the bodies to avoid releasing the wrong bodies to people.
However, DNA testing was stalled until late Thursday when the different families after a physical identification of the bodies, began the mandatory DNA tests to eliminate any mix-up.
Explaining the rationale for the mandatory testing, Chief Medical Director, Prof David Wale Oke, said they had to enforce the DNA process to eliminate any doubt about the identities of the bodies and ensure that families picked the right bodies.
The process, which was scheduled for two days, Thursday and Friday, has not been without some hitches, nonetheless, as it has exceeded the expected timeframe when tests should have been completed, and from all indications, might extend beyond tomorrow.
LASUTH spokesman, Mr. Dele Johnson, said the tests were still ongoing, adding that the hospital has no deadline until all those that are eligible for the DNA tests had gone through it.
LASUTH spokesman, Mr. Dele Johnson, said the tests were still ongoing, adding that the hospital has no deadline until all those that are eligible for the DNA tests had gone through it.
“We extended the date because initially, the families had come with only one donor and we needed two donors per corpse. So some of them took a rain check to send for eligible family members who do not reside in the state,” he said.
In a related development, THISDAY learnt that Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, will today at the Lagos House in Alausa, address family members and relatives of the residents of Iju on the course of action.
Confirming the briefing, Mr. James Okafor, brother to the late Mr. Nwabuwa, who was burnt to death while sleeping in his residence at Iju where the plane crashed, said he had received a text message directing him to attend the meeting with the governor.
While noting that his brother’s body had not been released to him despite the DNA test, he said he would not have even collected it if it had been given to him.
According to him, since Dana Air had promised to pick the funeral bills of the deceased, among other sundry expenses, he would have to meet with them before planning the burial ceremony.
The airline’s top management has visited the site of the crash to donate relief materials to families affected by the incident in the neighbourhood.
The airline has also deployed a team of counsellors and psychotherapists to assist and manage the trauma, anxiety and associated ailments of families affected by the incident.
“Our hearts are with you in this trying period and we will continue to do everything we can to support you. We are making arrangements for accommodation shortly, and we will ensure that all who have lost their property in the unfortunate incident get their dues,” a Dana Air director, Gautam Hathiramani, told the people.
The provision of the relief materials, the company said, will be a continuous exercise. Materials distributed included mattresses, blankets, food items, clothes and kitchen utensils.
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