Weeks after Nepal Flood, Thousands Still Missing and Most Recovered Bodies Unidentified
NEW DELHI, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Nepali authorities said on Wednesday that only about 7% of the bodies recovered after the devastating flood have been identified, underscoring the scale of the work involved in helping thousands of families find out the fate of loved ones.
Weeks after the devastating Nepal flood, authorities reveal that only around 7% of the bodies recovered have been identified, leaving thousands of families in limbo as they await news of their loved ones. As the initial shock of the disaster subsides, the reality of the scale of the tragedy sets in, with 5,200 people still missing, including 636 foreigners.
The Nepali National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that at least 1,399 people lost their lives in the catastrophe, triggered by a glacial collapse that unleashed a torrent of mud, rocks, and water. Despite extensive efforts, including the collection of DNA samples from 1,206 bodies and 1,889 samples from family members, only 105 bodies have been identified and returned to their grieving relatives.
Authorities have resorted to advanced technology, such as thermal drones and helicopters, as well as specialized rescue workers to navigate the challenging terrain and recover victims trapped in the debris. However, the search and rescue operation has been hampered by narrow airspace, treacherous mountainous terrain, and the sheer volume of debris, making the task of locating the missing a formidable challenge.
The department has been actively updating embassies and families through various channels, but the once steady flow of information about the rescue efforts has slowed significantly, leaving families anxious for updates on their loved ones.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
