Washed away bodies lead to problem of identification, morgue crunch
Summary
Floods along the Trishuli, Narayani and Marshyangdi rivers have left hundreds of bodies recovered across central Nepal, overwhelming mortuaries and forcing authorities to use temporary morgues, DNA testing and photo displays to identify the dead. Families are searching hospitals and police centers as the number of unclaimed remains grows and burial plans loom for bodies that cannot be identified in time.
Key Points
- Hundreds of bodies recovered after the central Nepal floods have overwhelmed mortuaries in Chitwan, Nawalparasi East, Pokhara and other districts.
- Authorities are relying on tattoos, clothing, fingerprints and DNA because many remains are badly decomposed or dismembered.
- Temporary morgues and community halls are being used, but cold-storage capacity is running out and decomposition is accelerating.
- If bodies remain unidentified, officials may have to bury them under Nepal’s Unidentified and Unclaimed Body Management Guidelines 2021.
