Bengaluru, September 4 (Daily Kiran) : The Karnataka government has appointed Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital in Bengaluru as the nodal center for collecting DNA samples from the families of Karnataka residents reported missing in Nepal. This decision follows a notice from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu regarding the identification and repatriation of deceased foreign nationals.
According to an order issued by the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority, Dr. Nagesh Kuppaswamy, a professor and head of the forensic medicine department, has been designated as the nodal officer. He will oversee the confirmation of relationships between the missing individuals and their relatives, as well as manage the collection and profiling of DNA samples.
The government has urged first-degree relatives of the missing persons—such as parents, children, siblings, or spouses—to contact designated officials at Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital. Families are advised to bring recent passport-sized photographs, Aadhaar cards, or other government identification, along with documents proving their relationship to the missing individuals.
Officials stated that the DNA samples would aid in the scientific identification of bodies found in Nepal, providing affected families with accurate information about their loved ones and facilitating necessary legal processes.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that India has dispatched approximately 95 tons of relief materials to Nepal via seven flights. Additionally, 54 personnel have been sent to assist with rescue and relief operations following the devastating disaster in the Himalayan nation.
During a press briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that India will continue to provide assistance based on the needs of the Nepalese government. Plans are also in place to send more forensic kits, Bailey bridges, and other requested supplies. Currently, 275 Indian citizens remain unaccounted for, while 1,907 have safely arrived in Nepal from China. Official sources in China indicate that no Indian travelers are currently stranded in Tibet.
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