Thousands of bodies still unidentified and missing in Nepal weeks after the flood

The Nepali authorities reported on Wednesday that only 7% of bodies recovered after the floods have been identified. This highlights the amount of work involved in helping thousands of families discover the fate of their loved ones.

After a glacial slide unleashed a torrent of rocks, mud and water, families continue to search for answers, as the hope of finding survivors fades.

Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority stated in an emailed message that about 5,200 people are still missing, including 636 foreigners. The disaster, which swept through mountain villages and hydropower sites and killed at least 1,399, has left around 5,200 people without homes.

The agency claimed to have collected DNA samples from 1,206 bodies, and 1,889 samples of missing family members.

It added that despite this, only 105 corpses have been identified, and handed over to their families.

The authorities have used thermal drones, helicopters and specialists to rescue trapped workers in the tunnels.

Searching for the missing led to some remarkable rescues, including people trapped in tunnels at Nepal's hydropower plant.

Families of foreign nationals say that the flow of information regarding the rescue efforts has slowed.

The Department of Defense said that "narrow?airspaces, mountainous terrain with difficult geography and the size of the debris are major challenges in locating missing persons."

It said that it would provide regular updates through both direct and indirect channels to embassies, families and other interested parties.

(source: Reuters)