Orlando, Florida, Jun 14 (EFE).– Two days after the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history at a gay nightclub in Orlando this Sunday, families of the dead and wounded struggle to carry on with their lives, while authorities investigate the background of the gunman, Omar Seddique Mateen.

At Orlando Regional Medical Center where most of those wounded at the Pulse nightclub were taken, 27 remain hospitalized, six in a critical state, 27 with a guarded prognosis and 16 in stable condition, while another 11 are in other hospitals in the area.

Fifty people including the shooter, a 29-year-old U.S. citizen armed with an assault rifle and a pistol, died and another 53 were injured.

Most of the fatalities were Hispanic, since Saturday night was meant to be a fun-filled “Latin night” at the club.

One of those killed was the Puerto Rican Eric Ivan Ortiz, whose family Tuesday faced a “hard day” as they waited for the funeral home to deliver his body.

“No family members have been able to recognize the bodies,” the victim’s sister Frances Ortiz told EFE.

Only when they went to the funeral home and saw his remains were they sure it was Eric.

Victor Valles had better luck and was able to escape from Pulse, though he lost six friends, including Mercedes Flores and Amanda Alvear, the “most wonderful people in the world, the best friends anyone could have.”

Valles’s mom, Iris Febo, told EFE Tuesday that they are “battling” because her son is suffering so much and has slept so little that he needs medical attention.

Meanwhile police are investigating Mateen’s wife Noor, who could possibly face charges for not telling the authorities what she knew about his murderous plans before it was too late. EFE