The Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, announced that 29 families had submitted samples for DNA to identify bodies evacuated from the collapsed 21-storey building in the Ikoyi area of the State.
This was made known in a statement issued by Gbenga Omotoso, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy.
According to him, the identification of bodies had continued at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.
He explained that a committee to supervise the identification and release of the bodies had been set up by the State government, and is comprised of senior officials of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice.
He wrote on Facebook, “The identification of bodies of the victims of the Ikoyi building collapse has continued at the IDH, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.
“Twenty-nine families have come forward to submit samples for DNA to identify bodies that they wish to claim. In cases where identification is clear and there are no arguments, the bodies will be released to the families as from this week.
“A committee to supervise the identification and release of the bodies has been set up. It comprises senior officials of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice.
“At the site, the operation continues. It will go on until the site is cleared and nobody is left in the rubble of the collapsed 21-storey edifice.
“The Panel of Inquiry set up by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to find out why the building went down and suggest ways of stopping such incidents has continued its sittings. It is collecting documents that may help unravel the mystery of the collapsed building.”
Meanwhile, as of Monday, the death toll had risen to 44 and 15 injured persons who were rescued are receiving treatment at the Police Hospital in Falomo.
