DNA samples of those who died in the floods are safe, bodies can be exhumed after identification
Kathmandu. The government of Nepal has temporarily buried and managed the bodies of those who died in the floods but could not be identified and decomposed due to being in water for a long time. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the medical team collected DNA samples of each of the deceased before burying the bodies so that the families could adjust the details later.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri, said at a press conference on Tuesday that the DNA samples of the unidentified bodies have been preserved. According to him, if necessary, permission will be given to excavate the bodies buried temporarily for the identification of the family and for religious rites.
‘The bodies of the deceased, especially those that could not be identified and decomposed due to being in the water for a long time, have been temporarily buried. The DNA sample of each deceased will be taken before burial by the medical team so that the families can match the details and the bodies will be allowed to be exhumed for the necessary religious rites,” he said.
He said that the standards and guidelines set by the government have been fully followed while handling the dead body. According to spokesperson Poudel Chhetri, 903 bodies have been retrieved from the affected areas so far while around 4,200 people are still missing.
More than 10,000 people, including 323 foreign nationals, have been rescued. According to the available data, about 590 foreign nationals from 38 countries are still out of contact.
Nepal has also mobilized international assistance for the identification and management of dead bodies. An 18-member forensic team specializing in DNA analysis from India has been working in Nepal since August 29. Similarly, coordination is underway to mobilize a Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team from Singapore.
“An 18-member forensic team from India specializing in DNA analysis has arrived here since August 29. In this regard, coordination is also being made to mobilize a Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team from Singapore,” he said.
Nepal has also received air-tight bags for the management of the dead body and additional necessary equipment is on the way, said spokesperson Poudel Chhetri.
According to him, the government has mobilized all available resources, giving priority to the search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the disappeared. A special technical team from India has been deployed in Mailung, Chilime and Syaphrubesi areas for rescue and relief. The team from China has been deployed in the Luku area of Upper Trishuli-3 ‘A’ while the team from South Korea has also been deployed in the work area.
Spokesperson Poudel Chhetri has urged the media and the general public to base only official and verified data on disaster-related information. According to him, more authenticated data will be made public through the official website of the ministry as the rescue and search operation progresses.
The government has said that relief and humanitarian assistance is continuing in the affected areas. Tents, blankets, sleeping bags, foodstuffs, medicines, generators, freezers, solar lamps, DNA testing kits and other materials have been received from various countries including India, China, the United Arab Emirates, the ministry said. Likewise, preliminary assessment of the damage and necessity for rehabilitation and reconstruction is underway and preparations are underway to assess the needs of the disaster in detail, said spokesperson Poudel Chhetri.
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