Indian Embassy in Beijing asks families to provide samples after Chinese authorities agree to assist in identifying nationals missing since the August 26 disaster….reports Asian Lite News Desk
The Indian Embassy in Beijing has asked families of Indian nationals still missing after the devastating August 26 mudslide and flash floods in China to submit DNA samples to help authorities identify victims.
In a press release issued on September 7, the embassy said Chinese authorities had confirmed they were ready to receive DNA samples for Indian nationals listed as missing following the disaster.
Families willing to provide DNA information have been asked to submit the relevant data in the internationally recognised CODIS format to the Indian Embassy, which will then forward it to the concerned Chinese authorities for comparison.
The embassy said families would be informed if a DNA match was confirmed.
It outlined detailed requirements for the collection of samples, giving priority to blood samples from the parents of missing Indian nationals. Samples from spouses and children may also be collected, with authorities recommending samples from multiple children wherever possible.
If the missing person has no surviving parents or children, families have been advised to provide samples from siblings. Where necessary, samples may also be collected from other maternal and paternal relatives, including cousins.
The embassy said DNA STR data was required for the samples, while Y-STR data must also be included for male relatives. All information should be stored in the internationally recognised CODIS format.
Families have also been instructed to clearly label samples with the nationality, name and passport number of the missing person, along with the name and passport number of the family member and the sample identification number.
The move comes as efforts continue to trace and identify Indian nationals who went missing after the mudslide and flash floods on August 26.
The Embassy of India in Beijing said it would coordinate with Chinese authorities throughout the identification process and has urged affected families to contact the mission for further guidance.
