Dead bodies mix-up at hospital leads to mistaken cremation

Two bodies have been mixed up by the staff of Tuen Mun Hospital, leading to the cremation of the wrong body.

A spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital said family members of the two deceased patients processed the body claiming procedures almost at the same time on Wednesday morning. Funeral rituals at hospital farewell room was planned for one of the deceased patients and followed by cremation, while another deceased body would be transferred to funeral parlour for rituals.

Mortuary staff was then being informed that the identification of the body at the funeral parlour was incorrect. However one body had already been cremated.

According to sources, the two deceased men were 83-year-old and 84-year-old and both died last month.

The hospital had contacted and met with the families involved in these two days to express the sincerest apologies and condolences. The spokesperson said they will offer necessary assistance to the families.

Four staff members concerned have ceased carrying out relevant duties, he added.

He stressed that the hospital is very concerned about the incident, and would investigate the incident and review the procedure of handling deceased bodies.
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