The Mayor’s Office of Santiago said on Thursday, 2 April that the city government has already secured approval from the Ministry of Public Works for the construction at the Cristo Vivo Cemetery in El Ingenio, Santiago. The construction would be ready in a week, starting on 3 April. The grave will be 24 meters x 7.5 meters with two rows of ten units for 20 or 30 corpses each. Each row will have capacity for 200 or 300 bodies.
Mayor Abel Rodriguez said that the cemeteries in Santiago do not have space available for the overwhelming number of people who may die from the terrible disease. The mayor said construction will start on a first phase with capacity for 200-300 bodies, and if necessary, a second phase will be built with capacity for another 200-300 bodies.
“With deep regret, we make it known to the public that the Santiago City Hall has begun the construction of a common grave, to be prepared for the threat of the coronavirus Covid-19, but we have hope and faith in God that there is no need to use it,” said Martínez.
In the Dominican Republic corpse cremation facilities are only available in Santo Domingo.
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Somos Pueblo
Listin Diario
3 April 2020