Jakarta, ThedailyID — South Sulawesi Police have begun forensic identification of two bodies believed to be victims of the KM Nurul Salsa sinking after search teams recovered them during the eighth day of operations.
The bodies arrived at Bhayangkara Hospital in Makassar, where the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team is working to confirm their identities.
M. Haris, Head of the Medical and Health Division of the South Sulawesi Police, said forensic specialists received two body bags for examination on July 22.
Meanwhile, authorities continue collecting ante-mortem data from the families of passengers who remain missing. Officials said 16 people have yet to be found.
Haris explained that investigators will first use fingerprint analysis if the condition of the bodies allows. This method can provide faster identification before authorities release the remains to their families.
If fingerprint identification is not possible, forensic experts will examine dental records or conduct DNA testing. They will then compare the DNA profiles with samples provided by close relatives.
Search and rescue teams continue to search the waters around the sinking site as authorities work to locate the remaining missing passengers and identify the latest victims.
