Nepal to preserve DNA samples of unidentified flood disaster victims

Nepal's government is implementing DNA preservation measures as it grapples with the aftermath of severe flooding that claimed numerous lives across the country. Prime Minister Balendra Shah said authorities will extract and store genetic samples from unidentified victims before proceeding with burials, a step that could prove crucial for future identification efforts or family reconciliation.

The decision reflects the scale of the disaster and the challenge of identifying all casualties, particularly those whose families have not yet located them. By preserving DNA profiles, authorities aim to maintain a record that could enable identification weeks, months, or even years later if remains are found or if family members come forward with DNA samples.

Meanwhile, bodies that have been identified through family recognition are being released to relatives, allowing grieving families to proceed with funeral and cremation rites according to their cultural and religious practices. The government is coordinating with local authorities to ensure dignified handling of the deceased throughout the process.

The DNA preservation protocol underscores the difficulties faced by disaster response teams in managing mass casualties and reflects international best practices in disaster victim identification. Nepal's approach seeks to balance the immediate need for burials with the possibility of later family reconnections through scientific means.