Agagu crash: LASUTH begins DNA test on victims

The management of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), yesterday said it has started the identification of charred bodies of victims of the ill-fated Associated Airline plane that crashed in Lagos, last Thursday, few minutes after take-off. This is coming as the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB), said it has commenced investigation into the cause of the crash. The aircraft which had on board, 20 passengers and seven crew members was conveying the remains of former governor of Ondo state, Dr Olusegun Agagu to Akure, the Ondo State capital before his final burial in his home town, Iju-Odo.

 
Recall that relations of victims whose bodies were burnt beyond recognition were asked to come forward for collection of their biological samples for Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test. The hospital’s Chief Examiner and pathologist, Prof. John Obafunwa said the DNA analysis was necessary for proper identification of the corpses.
Family members who reported as early as 8a.m at LASUTH however, could not hide their anger and frustration for being kept in the dark for over six hours about the true situation of things. According to them, the authorities aggravated their pains, accusing them of not being sympathetic about their plight.

Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, Wale Ahmed, told the bereaved families that the delay was not unconnected with consultations being held by relevant agencies connected with the incident in order to ensure dissemination of correct information.
He further disclosed that results of the test would be ready between three to four weeks based on the information received from the company handling the analysis in the United Kingdom. Ahmed assured the families who were anxious for the release of the remains of their loved ones without the DNA test that victims who were not burnt beyond recognition but have dental records which may be used for identification purposes, could come forward to collect the bodies later.
Meanwhile, dignitaries have been visiting Feyi Agagu, son of late former governor who is on admission at the Intensive Care Unit, LASUTH. Among them were: Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Folayele Akinkuotu. Condoling with the bereaved, Akinkuotu said that NCAA was doing everything possible to unravel the cause of the crash and prevent future occurrence.

The Chief Operations Officer of the crashed airline, Mr Taiwo Raji revealed that the airline was insured contrary to rumours that the plane was not insured. He said that the airline was still battling with the regulatory framework involved in crashes.
On investigations into the cause of the crash, AIPB commissioner, Capt. Muktar Usman, told journalists that flight recorders of the ill-fated aircraft which was recovered  shortly after the incident, have been downloaded at the Bureau’s newly installed flight laboratory at its Abuja headquarters. He said that experts had started an analysis on the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. The recorders contain the conversation between the pilot and the control towers. It also reveals what happened inside the aircraft before the crash which are vital.