President Irfaan Ali announced a few moments ago that DNA samples taken from the remains of the 19 students who died in the Mahdia Secondary School inferno will be sent to Mount Sinai Health System in New York City.
The results from those samples are expected back in Guyana this Friday, Independence Day. The President said that laboratory in New York was chosen because of its expediency.
He reiterated that a specialist team from Barbados arrived today and has already begun taking samples from the remains. Samples will also be taken from the parents of the students in an effort to have positive identification. Those samples will leave tomorrow for the United States.
Meanwhile, the surviving students at the Georgetown Public Hospital are all in a stable condition according to the Head of State. He noted too that the other students who are patients at the Mahdia Hospital will be flown to Georgetown for further evaluation.
“I want to assure all families that the Government, will fully support all the families and these children. We will provide all that is necessary in support of these family and their children,” President Ali said.
The names of those who perished were confirmed as; Eulanda Carter, Valerie Carter, Mary Dandrade, Martha Dandrade, Lisa Roberts, Nicholeen Robinson, Sherana Daniels, Andrea Roberts, Delicia Edwards, Ariana Edwards, Loreen Evans, Sabrina John, Belnisa Evans, Bibi Jeffrey. Natalie Bellarmine, Adonijah Jerome, Cleoma simon, Tercell Thomas and Shurlin Bellarmine.
