DNA taken from Assam kin to identify those killed in Nepal

The Assam government on Tuesday collected DNA samples from the family members to match with the seven people from the state who died in Nepal in Saturday's devastating earthquake.

Home commissioner L.S. Changsan said that of the seven bodies recovered from under the debris, six have been identified.

"The seventh body is of a woman, but could not be identified by the family members," Changson said, hoping that the DNA analysis will be helpful to identify the body.

The seven, all from Guwahati, were part of a pilgrimage team to Nepal.

The number of people from Assam reported missing in Nepal has increased, as more and more relatives called the helplines opened by the state government.

The government had on Monday said there were 120 people from Assam in Nepal during the tremor, the number increased to 141 on Tuesday.

"Of the 141 people, 92 have either reached New Delhi or Guwahati, while 13 have been traced and found to be safe in Kathmandu. Seven others who were injured are in different hospitals in Kathmandu. Search is on for the rest of the people from Assam, Changson added.

She said there has been delay in bringing the bodies back to Assam due to problems in flight movement in Kathmandu.

"The Kathmandu airport is incapable of catering to the rush and emergency situation like this. Aircraft are having to wait for one-two hours for landing space. The bodies could not be brought back last night (Monday) but we are expecting them to reach Delhi tonight (Tuesday)," Changsan said.

She said a police team led by Inspector General of Police S.N. Singh will also leave for Kathmandu Tuesday night and would try to bring back the stranded people by road.

The team will include some paramedics also.