HCMC has collected 9,854 biological samples from fallen soldiers’ remains as DNA testing efforts accelerate, while 358 sets of remains have been recovered from Le Thi Rieng Park.
Ho Chi Minh City has completed biological sampling of fallen soldiers’ remains at 18 martyrs’ cemeteries, one month ahead of schedule, laying important groundwork for faster DNA testing and identification.
Authorities collect biological samples from fallen soldiers’ remains recovered at Le Thi Rieng Park. Photo: Nguyen Hue
The information was recently announced by Ho Chi Minh City’s Steering Committee 515 for the search, recovery and identification of fallen soldiers’ remains.
According to the committee, authorities collected 9,854 biological samples, of which 7,104 meet the requirements for DNA testing.
Alongside sampling remains at martyrs’ cemeteries, Ho Chi Minh City Police collected DNA samples from 1,843 relatives of fallen soldiers in the first phase. More than 2,000 other relatives have registered for sampling in the second phase to support DNA matching and identification.
After being reviewed and standardized, samples from the remains will be transferred to the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology for DNA testing. Biological data and information on relatives are also being standardized and integrated to shorten the time needed for comparison and identification.
On the same day, the Ho Chi Minh City High Command announced the latest results of the search and recovery of fallen soldiers’ remains at Le Thi Rieng Park in Hoa Hung Ward.
According to the recovery team, at the first burial trench in Area A, authorities continued expanding the search area, excavating more than 200 cubic meters of soil to reach locations suspected of containing remains. The team discovered and recovered the remains of seven fallen soldiers along with three sets of associated artifacts.
Since June 23, teams working at Le Thi Rieng Park have discovered and recovered the remains of 358 fallen soldiers, along with 201 sets of associated artifacts.
The Ho Chi Minh City High Command said it would continue directing teams to expand the search area and work closely with specialized agencies, witnesses and relevant units to recover fallen soldiers’ remains at Le Thi Rieng Park, with the goal of completing the work before November 2026.
Search begins at mass grave believed to hold five fallen soldiers in Thuong Tan
On August 17, authorities recovered the remains of seven fallen soldiers along with three sets of associated artifacts. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City High Command
On the morning of August 17, Ho Chi Minh City’s Steering Committee 515 launched a search and recovery operation for fallen soldiers’ remains in Lac An 3 Hamlet, Thuong Tan Commune.
Senior Colonel Nguyen Dinh Chuan, Deputy Political Commissar of the Ho Chi Minh City High Command, emphasized that searching for, recovering and identifying fallen soldiers’ remains is a major policy of the Party and State, reflecting Vietnam’s tradition of gratitude to those who sacrificed for the country, while also being a responsibility shared by the entire political system.
Chuan called on participating forces to uphold a strong sense of responsibility, ensure safety and conduct the search scientifically and carefully, without overlooking any location or potentially valuable information. He also requested close coordination and comprehensive documentation, including records and location maps.
He urged local authorities to step up public outreach and encourage residents to provide information concerning fallen soldiers and burial sites in their areas.
Initial information indicates that the mass grave in Lac An 3 Hamlet contains the remains of five fallen soldiers. Information is available for two of them, while the identities of the other three remain unknown.
The search and recovery effort aims to bring the fallen soldiers’ remains to a dignified final resting place while providing a basis for confirming their identities, completing official records and implementing policies and benefits for their relatives.
Vietnamnet.vn
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