Nepal's grim DNA puzzle to identify flood dead as over 5000 still missing
Nepal faces a daunting challenge in identifying over 5,000 missing flood victims through DNA testing, with international support aiding efforts to match fragmented remains to families amidst the devastation.
In Nepal, over 5,000 people remain missing following catastrophic Himalayan floods that swept through the country on August 26. The sheer scale of the destruction has overwhelmed authorities, making the identification process a monumental challenge. Clutching a photograph of his missing son, Rajesh Ram is among thousands desperately hoping for answers through DNA testing.
The National Forensic Science Laboratory in Kathmandu is processing thousands of forensic samples, including over 1,300 collected from recovered bodies. With limited manpower and technical capacity, experts warn that matching bodies to families could take weeks. Only 112 bodies have been identified and returned to their families, and just 1,454 have been recovered.
A total of 3,685 samples are undergoing DNA testing, but many are partial remains. Authorities are working diligently to provide answers, but families face a painful limbo as they wait for potential matches. Support teams from neighboring countries, including India, China, South Korea, the United States, and Singapore, are assisting with the effort.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
