Flood Victims Identification Challenges Amidst High Death Toll
Summary
Identification remains difficult after the Bhote Koshi flood left 768 people dead, with only 34 victims confirmed so far across several districts. Police are collecting, tagging and burying unclaimed bodies underground to prevent decomposition and infection while DNA samples are preserved for later identification.
Key Points
- The Bhote Koshi flood has killed 768 people, and security personnel are recovering bodies along the Trishuli and Narayani rivers up to Gandaki.
- Only 34 victims, or 4.42 percent of the bodies collected, have been identified so far, according to police and provincial officials.
- Police have buried or stored hundreds of unclaimed bodies underground after recording fingerprints, photos and DNA samples to prevent decomposition and infection.
- Victims from multiple districts were swept into different areas, making identification difficult for families and investigators.
