Nepal: How are the hundreds of victims from the floods being identified?

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) is actively collecting DNA samples from Singaporeans who remain missing amid the Nepal floods. The force has reached out to relatives of the missing individuals to obtain these crucial samples, which could aid in identifying the victims. This initiative is part of Singapore's support for Nepal's authorities in their ongoing disaster relief and victim identification endeavors.

Nine Singaporeans have been reported missing since flash floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border region on August 26. Among the missing are Rengarajan Prabu, Shalinny Deavy Elan Sozan, Subramaniam Diraviam, Rajesvaran Ayyavoo, Estee Loeh, Ghosh Aditi, Ng Kit Kuen, Shubakshi Rawla, and Sumit Rawla. The toll of the disaster has been severe, with at least 1,200 fatalities and over 4,200 people still unaccounted for, according to BBC's report on September 2, citing Nepal's disaster agency.

Nepali authorities have stated that more than half of the recovered bodies are beyond recognition. In response, Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah announced that the government would preserve DNA samples and other identifying details of unidentified victims before their remains are turned over to the state. Only the bodies of those identified by their families will be handed over to relatives.

The Nepali police have specified that DNA samples for testing should ideally be provided by the closest first-degree relative, such as a parent or child. If the family member resides abroad, the police requested the individual to undergo DNA profiling in their country of residence and then submit a soft copy of the DNA profile along with a passport-sized photograph to the Nepali police for comparison.

The Singapore police have deployed a team of 17 officers, along with two officers from the Health Sciences Authority’s Forensic Medicine Division, to assist Nepal in their disaster relief efforts. This contingent arrived in Nepal on September 1 and 2. An additional team of 14 officers will join them in the following days to further aid the relief operations, which also includes specialists in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) and aerial surveillance.