Maharashtra sends DNA of 49 missing in Nepal-China flash floods for matching

All 49 people were part of a 64-member group travelling to the Kailash Mansarovar with Dr Milind Chitley and his firm, Hills and Trails, with Richa Tours.

The Maharashtra government has sent the DNA profiles of families of 49 people who went missing after flash floods near the Nepal-China border on August 26 to authorities in Nepal and China through the central government, so they can be matched with DNA samples of bodies recovered in the two countries, officials familiar with the matter told Hindustan Times.

All 49 people were part of a 64-member group travelling to the Kailash Mansarovar with Dr Milind Chitley and his firm, Hills and Trails, with Richa Tours as their partner in Nepal.

“Of the 64 persons on the trip, four were from other states while the remaining were from various parts of Maharashtra such as Pune, Nashik, Thane, Palghar and Mumbai. Families of some missing persons had already submitted DNA samples at places like Nepal, Patna and Delhi. We coordinated with the remaining 49 families and their DNA samples were collected at the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories (DFSL) in Kalina,” an official said, requesting anonymity.