Kyrgyz crash victims to be identified in Iran

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

BISHKEK (AFP) — Iran will conduct DNA identification of bodies recovered from a passenger jet that crashed after take-off from Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek, killing 65 people, Kyrgyz health ministry officials told AFP Tuesday.

"Human remains, which rescuers gathered into 65 bags, are almost impossible to identify. Unfortunately, Kyrgyzstan does not have a special service and equipment to make DNA analysis, and Iran offered help," the health ministry's press service said.

"One does not have to explain the emotional state of the victims' relatives, so we must conduct DNA tests, identify bodies and hand them over to the victims's families as quickly as possible," officials said.

So far, only four of the 65 victims could be identified, "but to rule out mistakes,...