Only 7% of the bodies recovered from the recent floods in Nepal have been identified. Due to a lack of DNA testing capacity, authorities are now utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) facial recognition technology to assist in the identification process.
According to local media reports from the Kathmandu Post and EFE on September 11, 1,377 bodies have been recovered since the floods struck the Himalayan region near the Nepal-China border on August 26. However, only 102 of these bodies, or 7.4%, have been identified and returned to their families.
The only institutions in Nepal capable of conducting DNA tests are the Central Forensic Science Laboratory and the National Forensic Science Institute under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Typically, these institutions handle fewer than 1,000 samples annually, but they have received over 2,600 samples since the floods.
Dr. Jiban Rizal, a DNA expert and former director of the National Forensic Science Institute, noted that the shortage of testing personnel and difficulties in securing chemicals and reagents are significant challenges. Many bodies were swept away in muddy waters or submerged for extended periods, complicating DNA collection. In severely damaged cases, samples must be taken from teeth or bones, which takes additional time.
The Central Forensic Science Laboratory has deployed 19 DNA experts from India and four from China, while the Korean Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) is also assisting with identifications. However, the unprecedented scale of the disaster has placed a heavy burden on their operations.
Meanwhile, the American AI technology company NowtrKit is supporting Nepalese authorities with its facial recognition system called 'FaceTag.' This system analyzes faces in photos and videos, comparing them to images of missing persons to identify potential matches among 5 to 10 candidates.
Samar Panti, founder of NowtrKit, reported that approximately 500 missing persons have been registered in FaceTag, with 90 of those potentially identified. However, final identifications must be verified by Nepalese police and other relevant agencies. A spokesperson for the Nepalese police acknowledged the use of AI technology but noted that severely damaged bodies are difficult to identify using this method.
In addition, local transportation networks, which were disrupted by the floods, are gradually being restored. According to a report from Yonhap, the first temporary bridge crossing the Trishuli River opened on September 10 in the Nuwakot District of Bagmati Province.
Fifteen days after the floods destroyed over 40 bridges across the Trishuli River, the prefabricated steel bridge, built by the Nepal Army, measures 57.9 meters in length and 5.5 meters in width, capable of supporting loads of up to 60 tons, allowing large trucks and heavy equipment to pass. The opening of the bridge is expected to facilitate the movement of relief supplies and personnel, which had previously relied on helicopters and zip lines.
Local residents expressed hope that the bridge's restoration would lead to the recovery of their livelihoods. A hardware store owner mentioned that they had been unable to conduct business due to a lack of supplies but said, "Now that the bridge is back, I can receive goods and resume my business."
As the identification of victims continues to take considerable time, efforts to restore damaged roads and bridges across Nepal are intensifying to help communities return to normalcy.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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