The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has issued details of the process for identifying and repatriating the mortal remains of victims of the recent flash floods in Nepal , which have claimed more than 1,000 lives.
First-degree relatives of those reported missing can either send their DNA profiles by email to Nepal Police or provide blood samples along with preliminary information required by the authorities. Nepali authorities are collecting DNA samples from the mortal remains to create their DNA profiles. For assistance from the Indian Embassy, relatives can also copy their DNA profiles to the embassy’s flood-support email address. Further details on DNA profiling are available through the Nepal Police website and its helpline.
In a statement issued on September 1, the embassy said the details were provided by Nepali authorities as a follow-up to its August 29 press release on the identification of mortal remains of victims.
For foreign nationals, the process involves nine steps before the remains can be handed over to their respective countries.
As per the Government of Nepal, the following steps will be required for handing over the mortal remains of foreign nationals: 1.Documentation of mortal remains
- Recording photographs and details of the mortal remains
- Post-mortem examination
- Verification of cause of death
- Formal establishment of identification
- Collection of fingerprints, DNA or forensic samples
- Verification of the deceased’s passport or ID
- Completion of embassy/consular coordination
- Completion of handover/release memo and receipt The first four steps, documentation, recording photographs and details, post-mortem examination, and verification of the cause of death, will be carried out by Nepali authorities. If relatives are able to identify the mortal remains through photographs and descriptions published on the Nepal Police website, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu will help coordinate with local authorities for the handover and repatriation process. The Nepal government has temporarily interred a large number of mortal remains to prevent health risks. Identification of these remains will require DNA matching with first-degree relatives. Where identification is not possible, or where the mortal remains have been temporarily interred, the Nepal government will facilitate DNA matching.
