74 BODIES LEAVE FOR SOUTH AFRICA AFTER DNA TEST WAS USED TO IDENTIFY THE VICTIMS –SYNAGOGUE BUILDING COLLAPSE

The remains of 74 South African nationals who died in the building collapse at the Synagogue Church of All Nations will be flown back to South Africa today. This was disclosed at a press conference held at Pro­tea Hotel Ikeja, Lagos yesterday evening.

While addressing jour­nalists at the conference, a minister in the South African Presidency, Jeff Radebe said arrangements had been concluded to repatriate the remains of the victims to South Africa, adding that the South African government was ready to support the families of the deceased in their grieving moments.

Radebe who expressed regrets over the incident, said it was disheartening that it took a long time for the identities of the victims to be ascertained as DNA tests had to be carried out.

He dispelled the fear that the development could strain the relationship between both countries, stressing that Nigeria, being the largest economy in Africa and South Africa, being a strategic economy in the continent, needed to work together in actualising the African dream.