When identifying a person through their DNA, investigators compare it to that of potential family members. This is particularly effective with direct descendants, as explained by Patricia Vanderlinden, a Senior Inspector at the Victim Identification Service. However, when dealing with more distant relatives like nieces and nephews, the process becomes more complex and requires a larger number of potential matches. In 1958, a disaster occurred and investigators had to find family members of unidentified victims. Despite this challenge, two families were able to locate their grandfathers and bring closure to their loved ones’ sacrifice. Dantina di Quilio, daughter of Dante di Quilio, who was buried with the unknown victims, finds solace in knowing her father’s name will be found at the Marcinelle cemetery. For Mireille Pellgrims, reuniting with her grandfather Oscar Pellegrims is a significant step in honoring his memory. Unfortunately, for the other 12 victims, the investigation has resulted in four formal exclusions, five inconclusive results, and three victims whose descendants have yet to be found.
To identify a person thanks to his DNA, we proceed by comparison. It was therefore necessary for the investigators to find family members of the unidentified victims. Ideally in direct line. This is what explains Patricia Vanderlinden, Senior Inspector at DVI, the Victim Identification Service: “When you have a child in the direct line, it’s quite obvious… When you move on to small children, it is better to have several. When you are no longer in the direct line, with nieces or nephews , it becomes more complicated and it is necessary to have a certain number to be able to obtain certainties. The disaster dates back to 1958. It was not easy to find more direct descendants, like Michele, the son of ‘a victim”.
In the end, only two families found their grandfather, thanks to this vast operation. Dantina di Quilio is the daughter of Dante Di Quilio who rested so far with the unknown victims: “I am so happy with all this research around these nameless victims. For our family, it is very important. Now we are going to leave him here, in Marcinelle, in the cemetery, but with his name. Bring him back to Italy wouldn’t make sense. It was here that he made the sacrifice of his life.”.
The Pellgrims sisters have reunited with their grandfather, Oscar Pellegrims. Mireille remembers: “We didn’t have a real place. Now we’re more likely to go to the Marcinelle cemetery to honor his memory. I remember, when I was little, that we often went to play in the rue de la Grande Chenevière, where my big boys -parents lived. It will be good to know that he is there”.
For the other 12 victims, there are four formal exclusions: no DNA match could be established. There are five inconclusive results: the descendants found were not in direct line and not numerous enough to establish a filiation with certainty. Finally, there are three victims whose descendants have not been found.
In conclusion, the identification of the victims of the Marcinelle mining disaster has brought closure to some families and remains a work in progress for others. The hard work of investigators and the cooperation of family members have led to the naming of two previously unknown victims, bringing dignity to their sacrifice. The search continues for the descendants of the remaining victims, and we hope that the same closure can be found for them too. This tragedy is a reminder of the dangers of mining and the importance of honoring those who lost their lives in the pursuit of providing energy and resources for our communities.