The South African government is expected to send an aircraft to Lagos, Nigeria on Sunday to evacuate survivors of the church tragedy that killed 86 South Africans.
According to the Sunday Independent, officials confirmed on Saturday that the bodies of those killed when a six-storey guest house collapsed at the Synagogue Church of All Nations’ (SCOAN) compound in the capital would stay there for now, while forensic experts tried to identify the remains.
Officials said that the plane, which will carry medical personnel, would remain briefly on the ground in Lagos to load the injured South Africans before returning home. [eap_ad_1] It is believed at least 30 South Africans are in hospitals in the Nigerian capital. They are apparently under guard by security employed by the church.
These guards are allegedly preventing the media and relief workers from speaking to the South African survivors, reports the Sunday Independent.
South Africa has however, mobilised a massive effort to deal with the aftermath of the tragedy.
Apart from sending in forensic experts to deal with the bodies, government has also sent in doctors to treat the injured and counsellors to help the injured and their families.
Social workers are also at OR Tambo Airport to support families waiting for injured relatives.
But, reports have emerged that the head of the church, Prophet TB Joshua tried to bribe Nigerian journalists on how to report the story of the guest house collapse.
Nigeria also appears to have deliberately blocked access by South African journalists to avoid negative publicity.
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