Kerala Landslide: Mass Burial of Unclaimed Bodies and Body Parts

Kerala's Wayanad will hold a mass burial on Monday for 31 unclaimed bodies and 158 body parts recovered post the July 30 landslide. The graves, set on a nearby tea estate, will be marked by identification numbers and DNA samples. Search operations for missing persons continue, with additional cadaver dogs deployed.

In a somber event on Monday, Kerala's Wayanad will witness the mass burial of 31 unclaimed bodies and 158 body parts recovered after the devastating July 30 landslide. Revenue Minister K Rajan confirmed that the graves, located on a nearby tea estate owned by Harrisons Malayalam Ltd, will be marked by identification numbers and DNA samples from the body parts.

Speaking to the media, Minister Rajan assured that search operations to locate missing persons will persist, focusing efforts around the Chaliyar River and surrounding terrains. He revealed that additional cadaver dogs have been called in, with 15 more expected to join the search today.

Rajan indicated that the burials would proceed following a cabinet sub-committee meeting, with separate graves designated for each body part. He also noted that the number of missing persons dwindled as identifications increased, with several burials already conducted over the weekend. The interments were carried out amid prayers and conformed to the last rites of all religions.

(With inputs from agencies.)