Nepal flash floods: India's Embassy in Beijing asks families of missing nationals to submit DNA samples

The Embassy of India in China has asked families of Indian nationals who remain missing after the August 26 mudslide and flash flood to submit DNA samples to help authorities identify those missing.

The appeal follows confirmation from Chinese authorities that they are now able to receive DNA samples of the missing Indian nationals for comparison and identification, the Embassy said in a press release.

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Families willing to provide DNA information have been asked to submit the relevant data to the Embassy in the internationally recognised CODIS format. The Embassy will then forward the data to the concerned Chinese authorities for comparison.

If a DNA match is confirmed, the Embassy will be notified and will inform the concerned family.

For the DNA collection, blood samples from the parents of the missing person have been listed as the priority. Samples from the spouse and children should also be provided, with samples from multiple children preferred wherever possible.

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If the missing person has no living parents or children, families have been advised to provide samples from siblings, preferably all siblings. If required, samples can also be collected from other maternal and paternal relatives, including cousins. Details of the relationship with the missing person can be specified in such cases.

The Embassy said DNA STR data for the samples is required. For male missing persons, Y-STR data must also be included. The data should be stored in the internationally recognised CODIS format.

DNA samples should be labelled in the prescribed format, containing the nationality, name and passport number of the missing person, name and passport number of the family member, and the sample ID number.

Families seeking further guidance can contact the Embassy of India in Beijing at +86 18514284905 or email cons1.beijing@mea.gov.in.