Nepal flood victims to be identified through DNA

The Malaysian government has pledged to dispatch DNA experts from the Department of Chemistry to Nepal in order to assist with the identification of victims from the recent devastating floods. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated that the experts would be deployed if deemed necessary to expedite the identification process alongside Nepalese authorities.

He noted that DNA samples from the next of kin for all 55 Malaysians still unaccounted for have been collected and will be sent to Nepal for comparison. The process, he explained, would be lengthy due to the high number of victims.

Mohamad also mentioned that several other nations are set to provide DNA specialists to Nepal to aid in the swift identification of victims. In response to Nepal's decision to allow only 10 members of the Malaysian Special Search and Rescue Team (SMART) to participate in search and rescue operations, the foreign minister explained that previous international assistance during the Kathmandu earthquake led to coordination difficulties among foreign teams.

Consequently, Nepal sought to prevent a similar situation by limiting the number of foreign SAR teams.

SMART team members have been equipped with five high-capacity drones, donated by various Malaysian companies such as Proton and Petronas, to enhance their capabilities in conducting search and rescue operations in challenging terrains. The search area spans across Tibet, Nepal, and India, presenting extensive and difficult-to-access slopes and ravines, which necessitates the use of advanced technology for effective rescue efforts.