PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has collected nearly 50 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples from next-of-kin of victims of the ill-fated MH17 to facilitate victim identification in the Netherlands.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said health officers are waiting for two more samples from two families.

“As informed by the Malaysia Airlines, 43 victims had family ties in Malaysia.

“However, there are some living overseas, bringing the DNA sample data to be collected to 47. We are awaiting two more families as we speak,” he said in a statement released today.

Dr Subramaniam explained that the DNA samples taken are from family members of next-of-kin, such as parents, children and siblings of next-of-kin.

Meanwhile, he added that six health teams were activated to be on alert and standby to process the bodies from the downed jetliner.

“Medical teams from Serdang Hospital and Putrajaya hospital are on standby,” Subramaniam said.

-NST