No Victim Died From Blast Injuries - Lagos State Pathologist

oge okonkwo

October 29, 2014 11:40 AM

The pathologist said the autopsy conducted on the bodies revealed that they died as a result of crush injuries also known as “traumatic rhabdomyolysis”

The chief medical examiner of Lagos State and consultant pathologist, John Obafunwa, at yesterday's coroner's inquest sitting that the 116 victims of the building collapse at the Synagogue Church of All Nation (SCOAN) died as a result of crush injuries.

Obafunwa disclosed this while presenting a preliminary report at the coroner's inquest presided over by Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, which was set up to investigate the cause of the incident.

The pathologist said the autopsy conducted on the bodies revealed that they died as a result of crush injuries also known as “traumatic rhabdomyolysis”.

Dr. Obafunwa told the court that the final report and identification of the bodies would be completed in two weeks time.

Nigerian Tribune reports that the pathologist said 46 bodies recovered from the scene were deposited at the Isolo General Hospital mortuary while another 63 were taken to the mortuary at Mainland General Hospital, Yaba.

According to him, six bodies were brought to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital morgue at Ikeja, which later increased to seven following the death of one of the victims on admission.

“Some of the bodies were at a decomposing stage and mutilated, severely crushed, multiple injuries, fractured bones, fractured limbs as well as skull injuries,” the pathologist said.

Obafunwa also said the team of forensic pathologists and dental surgeons conducted various tests including DNA and dental analysis on the bodies for the purpose of identification.

He said the team was waiting for the report on finger print, DNA analysis as well as the list of lodgers it had requested from the church before finalising its job.

Obafunwa also assured one of the victim’s husband and a South African, Anthony Van Der Byl, that the body of his wife, Louise, would be released at the completion of the report.

oge okonkwo