By: Natasha Archary
The Gauteng Department of Health says 73 families have come forward to identify victims of the Johannesburg inner city fire.
A fire that tore through the “hijacked” Usindiso building on Thursday, 31 August, claimed the lives of 77 people, including 12 children.
More than 50 others have been injured, and survivors are now being accommodated at temporary shelters.
Last week, the Department said people could come forward to identify the bodies of loved ones who perished in the fire, but with the bodies burnt beyond recognition, the process of identifying victims would require DNA tests.
At least 60 of the bodies that were retrieved from the gutted building were burnt beyond recognition.
“As many families come forth, antemortem samples are taken from siblings, children, or parents of the deceased.
The South African Police Service Victim Identification Centre Unit is currently processing DNA samples drawn from the 62 unidentifiable bodies and has already taken 36 antemortem swabs from the immediate family members.
Once the samples are taken from the deceased and the family members, they will be cross-referenced to match them as part of linking families with their deceased loved ones.”
Twelve families have already identified their loved ones from the 12 identifiable bodies, and all 12 have been released to the families for burial.
Meanwhile, 31 people are still rehabilitating and receiving care in hospital after 88 patients were seen at various health facilities.
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