The Lagos State Government says it will conduct DNA and autopsy on the dead bodies recovered from the rubbles of the 21-storey building that collapsed around 2:00 p.m. on Monday before families and relatives are allowed to claim them.

The state also asked the families and relatives of victims to visit the Infectious Disease Hospital at Yaba for the identification of the bodies recovered from the scene.

“We have recovered 38 bodies. As you all know we have 9 survivors and some bodies are ready for identification. People can go to the IDH, Yaba, by 4:00 p.m. to identify the bodies of their loved ones,” Gbenga Omotoso told journalists on Friday in Lagos.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the state, Mr Omotoso was speaking at the site of the collapse where rescue workers are still searching for survivors.

He said bodies that can be identified by families will be allowed for pickup, and a DNA test conducted on those hard to identify before released to the families. He also said that an autopsy will be performed on the bodies before being released to the families.

“For bodies that may be very difficult to identify, we are going to be conducting a DNA test for the bodies. When you have a death of this kind of nature, an autopsy must be done before the body is released. That is what the law prescribes,” he added.

The commissioner said 38 bodies have been recovered from the rubbles of the 21-storey building, as one more body was recovered on Friday morning.

Also said 32 families have submitted names of their relatives that are possibly trapped, assuring that rescue workers were handling the situation as professionals.

“The guys who are working here are professionals. To any layman it seems like they are just tearing away. However, there are times they stop to listen for voices.

“There is a lot of equipment that they are using that you may not be able to see from afar, everything is being done systematically,” he said.

On the six-member panel setup by the state to investigate the collapse, Mr Omotoso said the proceedings will remain private, however, information on the process will be publicly shared, stating that the members “need concentration as they have just started the panel.”

Godwin Abel, who is still searching for his 16-year-old son identified as Emmanuel Abel, asked for the hospitals where the survivors are held to identify his son.

“I know what you are feeling. I’m very sorry because this is a sober issue but if you visit the General Hospital in Lagos-Island that is where the survivors are receiving treatment.

“And if you go to IDH Yaba, that is where you will see some of the bodies for identification. The thing is that there are rules for identification before the bodies can be released to people,” Mr Omotoso responded.

On Friday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced three days of mourning for the dead.