Nepal: Hopes fade for thousands still missing

In Nepal’s Chitwan district, authorities have begun mass burials for hundreds of unidentified victims whose bodies were carried away by a devastating mudslide that struck the region days ago. Nearly 200 kilometers from the affected valleys, officials have dug graves in Chitwan’s Devghat forest, turning the forest trails into a temporary burial ground for bodies that are too decomposed to identify.

Ganesh Arya, the chief district officer of Baratpur, Chitwan, explained that they had no choice but to follow this step due to the risk of rapid decomposition posing public health concerns.

So far, 96 unidentified bodies have been buried in the forest, with more than 100 planned for burial on Sunday. Rescue teams are still recovering victims from rivers and debris. A total of 750 people have been killed, and over 3,000 are reported missing after the disaster triggered by a glacial collapse along Nepal’s border with China. China reported 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries missing on the Tibetan side of the border crossing, with a death toll of 16 in Tibet.

Over 100 rescue workers, police officers, and officials are assisting in documenting the dead, photographing remains, helping families with identification, and preparing bodies for burial. Authorities ensure every burial site is meticulously recorded, with identification markers placed above and below ground, and precise location data logged.

DNA samples from the unidentified victims are being collected by Nepali authorities to locate and exhume remains if they are identified later through family claims, official records, or genetic testing.

Nepal has also collaborated with forensic teams from India and China to analyze DNA samples. The Bharatpur Hospital in Chitwan has become overwhelmed with the task, with about 125 bodies currently lying on the floor due to limited space in the mortuary designed for only 50 bodies. Inspector Anil Thapa, overseeing one of the facilities, noted that more than half of the bodies recovered are beyond recognition, and many have no visible faces due to the advanced decomposition in the floodwaters.

The Chitwan Expo Centre has become a focal point for families searching for missing relatives, with more than 200 people gathered outside to view photographs of recovered bodies for visual identification. Families have traveled from distant districts, carrying backpacks and luggage, hoping to reunite with their loved ones. A temporary storage facility for bodies awaiting identification stands nearby, equipped with tents, a helpdesk, and police registration points to aid in the identification process.

Incense burned beneath desks to alleviate the overpowering smell, and a police officer handed over masks to colleagues, emphasizing the ongoing challenge of managing the overwhelming stench.

Recovery operations continue, with a vehicle carrying 13 bodies arriving at the facility. Six ambulances were stationed outside, awaiting to unload more bodies, highlighting the scale of the disaster and the ongoing struggle to identify the dead and provide answers to families still searching for missing relatives.