Story: News Desk 

Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways and Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, has disclosed that initial burial plans for the victims of Wednesday’s military helicopter crash, who were Muslims, have been suspended due to the condition of the bodies.

Speaking on  Citi FM which was monitored by Today , Suhuyini explained that earlier plans had been made to bury the Muslim victims in line with Islamic tradition, which calls for swift burial, usually within 24 hours.

However, upon assessment of the remains, it became evident that immediate burial would not be feasible.

“The information earlier was that, because of Islamic tradition, the Muslims among them were to be buried today. I am sure those decisions were taken before the actual state of the remains was determined,” he said.

“When that was done, it was clear to all that it was going to be practically impossible to carry out any burial today. So, those who had to be communicated to were quickly informed last night, and arrangements were suspended until further notice, or until some examinations are done before new dates are communicated,” Suhuyini added.

The crash, which occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, claimed the lives of eight people, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and other senior officials and military personnel.

The government has since formed a funeral planning committee to coordinate the burial and memorial arrangements. National flags continue to fly at half-mast as the country mourns the devastating loss.

Describing the tragedy as a “huge loss,” Suhuyini also paid tribute to the fallen officials.

“A gap has been created, and these comrades that have fallen, I dare say, are irreplaceable,” he said. “I cannot just imagine what everybody who knew them personally would be going through.”