{
  "id": 4385981,
  "title": "Next of kin of missing Malaysians in Nepal told to prepare for DNA tests",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/next-of-kin-of-missing-malaysians-in-nepal-told-to-prepare-for-dna",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-30T08:42:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/1522107/next-kin-missing-malaysians-nepal-told-prepare-dna-tests"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The relatives of Malaysian nationals missing after flash floods and landslides in Nepal are being prepared to undergo DNA tests for identification purposes. Sivakumar Kalimuthu, 57, whose wife Kalai Mathe Karuppaiah, 57, remains unaccounted for, learned of the requirement during a meeting with the Foreign Ministry's delegation at Wisma Putra. He and his family were informed during this briefing session that the police will facilitate the DNA test process. Sivakumar needs to gather his three children, currently residing in Singapore, Langkawi, and Selangor, to participate in the procedure. The DNA tests are among the preparations following the discovery of several unidentified bodies in the disaster area, which had to be buried immediately due to the lack of suitable storage facilities. Sivakumar's children are still grieving the loss but remain hopeful that their mother will be found safe. Sivakumar last heard from his wife on Tuesday morning, informing him that she and a group of 17 Malaysian tourists intended to travel to Kailash for prayers, but there has been no further contact since then. He remains hopeful and believes that his wife will return home safely.",
  "summary": "PUTRAJAYA: The next of kin of Malaysians who have yet to be traced following flash floods and landslides in Nepal have been asked to prepare to undergo deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests to assist in the identification process.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}