Kolkata, Sept. 4 -- The West Bengal government has begun collecting blood samples from immediate family members of people missing in Nepal after the August 26 flash flood, with DNA profiles to be matched against those of bodies recovered during search operations.

"Blood samples are being collected from first-degree relatives of those who are still missing. The DNA profile reports will be sent to Nepal Police for matching with the DNA profile of the dead bodies recovered," a senior police officer, aware of the developments, said.

At least 37 people from the state, mostly Kailash-Manasarovar pilgrims, remain missing. This includes an entire group of 30 pilgrims who were travelling with a Kolkata-based travel agency. The agency's two staff...