DNA reports of plane crash victims to be available in 21 days: Sindh Health Minister
97 people including 8 crew members were killed while two people miraculously survived the accident
KARACHI (Dunya News) - Sindh Health Minister Azra Pechuho has said that 19 victims of the Karachi plane crash have been identified while DNA reports of the rest will take 21 days to arrive.
She was holding a press conference with Information and Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah and provincial government spokesman Murtaza Wahab.
The Health Minister said a total of 97 people were killed in the crash while two survived, of which one is admitted in Dar-ul-Sehat and the other was being treated at the Civil Hospital.
She said that after the incident, 66 bodies were taken to Jinnah and 31 to Civil Hospital including 68 men, 26 women and 3 children. So far, 19 bodies have been identified and handed over to their families.
Pechuho said that so far DNA samples of 97 bodies have been taken and 47 relatives have also submitted samples of their DNA. The final DNA reports will take 21 days, she added.
Replying to a question, the provincial health minister said that the governor misstated about DNA as we have set up a high quality laboratory in Sindh and all DNA tests will be conducted in the lab of Karachi University.
On this occasion, Murtaza Wahab said that six residents of the neighbourhood were injured because of the plane crash while 16 were displaced who have now been moved to a local hotel. Moreover, 19 houses, 10 vehicles and three motorcycles were also affected because of the plane crash.
The Sindh government spokesman added that the fire brigade, the mayor of Karachi, Chhipa, Edhi, civil and military agencies worked together in rescue efforts. He appealed to the public to celebrate Eid with simplicity in view of the current situation.
In response to a question, Murtaza Wahab said that the moral and legal responsibility for the accident lies with the PIA and it should compensate those affected for the losses.
On Friday, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Lahore to Karachi crashed into a nearby populated area while trying to land at Karachi airport.
As a result of the accident, 97 people including 8 crew members were killed while two people miraculously survived the accident.
