Science and Health

Philadelphia Health Official Resigns Over Cremation Of Bombing Victims

Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley faces criticism for ordering the disposal of bombing victim remains without notifying family members.

Philadelphia Health Official Resigns Over Cremation Of Bombing Victims
Claudia Lauer / AP
SMS

Philadelphia's top health official has resigned after it was discovered he made the decision to cremate and dispose of human remains of bombing victims without letting the families know.

The bombing happened back in 1985 at the headquarters of a Black organization called MOVE.

Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley authorized the disposal of the remains in 2017.

Demonstrators gathered at the site of the bombing yesterday in West Philadelphia on the anniversary of the bombing.

Philadelphia police were trying to serve four members with a search warrant and evict the rest of the members from the group's headquarters, when they dropped a bomb from a helicopter, igniting a fire that spread to homes.

Philadelphia's mayor says it was Farley's decision to improperly dispose of the human remains years ago.

"Instead of contacting the families, they made the decision to incinerate them," said MOVE member Mike Africa Jr. 

11 people were killed in the bombing including five children and hundreds were displaced.

Survivors of the attack were awarded $1.5 million in a civil lawsuit 11 years after it happened.

The group is considering a lawsuit over the remains.