World · India Bureau
Nepal begins burial of unidentified flood victims after DNA sampling
Nepali authorities have commenced interring unidentified and unclaimed flood victims following the preservation of DNA samples, enabling families to potentially locate and exhume remains at a later date. The death toll has climbed to 734, with nearly 2,500 people still reported missing.
LSN India ·
Nepal's disaster management authorities have initiated the burial of unidentified and unclaimed victims of recent devastating floods, implementing a protocol that prioritizes DNA preservation for future identification. The measure comes as rescue and recovery operations continue across the flood-affected regions, with the confirmed death toll reaching 734 persons.
Officials have collected DNA samples from all unidentified remains before burial, creating a database that will enable families to trace and reclaim their deceased relatives through exhumation procedures if needed in the future. The systematic approach reflects efforts to balance immediate burial requirements with the long-term needs of grieving families seeking closure.
The scale of the disaster remains substantial, with nearly 2,500 individuals still missing across affected areas. Search and rescue teams continue operations in multiple districts as authorities struggle to account for the large number of persons unaccounted for since the floods struck.
The DNA-sampling protocol represents a significant shift in disaster management procedures for Nepal, acknowledging both the practical constraints of mass casualties and the humanitarian imperative to preserve identification options for bereaved families. Authorities have urged residents in affected regions to register missing persons through official channels to facilitate the matching process.