by Kalpit Parajuli

The identification of victims is only possible with DNA testing, but in Nepal there are no structures to do so. The government asks the international community for help and alternatives to speed up procedures.

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - four days after the 24 August plane crash, the government of Nepal is still refusing to return the bodies of the 14 victims, including six foreigners, to families for burial. According to medical examiners responsible for carrying out the autopsies, DNA testing is necessary to identity the victims, but there is no structure capable of carrying out the test in the country. The government is searching for an alternative method, and has called on the international community to send the necessary equipment for the test.

Pramod Shrestha, a member of the medical team charged with conducting the investigation, said: "In Nepal we can do DNA tests, but only on blood. However there is not enough blood in the bodies". "So - he adds - we are asking other countries for the necessary equipment and it will take at least 10 days to get the final results."

The plane crashed last August 24 near the town of Motipur in Makwanpur district, 30 km from Kathmandu. The flight was headed to Lukla in the Himalayas. On board there were eight Nepalese citizens and six foreign climbers on their way to the Everest base camp. The plane exploded mid-flight, as it was returning to the capital, due to a storm at Tukla airport.

To shed light on the causes of the accident, the government appointed a special commission of inquiry, that should publish its results within 35 days.

This is the third air tragedy in four years for Nepal, after the Maoist rebels launched a massive campaign to promote tourism. Two years ago, 18 people including 12 Germans, died when a small plane also bound for Lukla crashed.

• Nepal
• plane
• crash
• victim
• bodies
• DNA
• testing
• government
• tourism
• Himalayas