Spanair victims prove difficult to identify

Ireland News.Net
Thursday 21st August, 2008

The identification of bodies of victims in Wednesday's plane crash in the Spanish capital Madrid will take time according to a Red Cross spokeswoman.

More bodies were recovered from the wreck by rescue workers overnight.

At least 153 people died in the crash, and 19 people remain critically injured.

A temporary morgue has been set up in an exhibition hall in the capital as the process of identifying bodies begins.

However, according to the Red Cross, a final identification of all the bodies is not imminent.

'Many of the bodies are so charred that identification will only be possible with the help of DNA analysis,' the spokeswoman said.

Experts have begun attempting to find the cause of the worst Spanish air disaster in 25 years.

The Spanair MD-82 aircraft apparently burst into flames and broke up immediately after take off.

Spanish Transport Minister Magdalena Alvarez said the flight had had technical problems prior to takeoff, and that the pilot had already aborted one attempt at departure.

The minister did not say what the technical problems involved.

Have your say on this story