DVI Polri Identifies Six Victims of the Disaster in West Sumatra

West Sumatra Police Chief Brig. Gen. Solihin (center) during a press conference in Padang on Monday (22/12). ANTARA/FathulAbdi

PADANG - The joint Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team belonging to the National Police has identified six victims of the flood and landslide disaster in West Sumatra (Sumbar) who had been buried earlier.

This was revealed by the Deputy Chief of the Regional Police (Wakapolda) of West Sumatra, Brigadier General Pol. Solihin when holding a press conference at the Bhayangkara Hospital, Padang, on Monday, December 22.

"The DVI team has identified the identities of six victims of natural disasters through DNA sample examination," said Solihin accompanied by the Acting Head of the Sumbar Regional Police's Health Department, AKBP dr. Faizal, as reported by ANTARA.

He said that before they were identified, the six victims had all been buried first but without clear identities.

The details are that three victims were buried at the Bungus Padang Public Cemetery (TPU), and the other three victims were buried in Agam.

The identities of the six bodies who have been buried and then identified are four men named Simon Oscarmon, Tio Alamsyah, Karim, and Rudi Afriko Putra.

Meanwhile, the other two bodies that were successfully identified were female with the names Lydia Lestari and Okta Nadifa.

The identity of the sixth victim was successfully identified through DNA examination conducted by the DVI Team by matching the DNA of the body with a reference sample (family member).

Solihin explained that according to the family's agreement, one tomb would be demolished because the family wanted to bury him in his hometown, namely in Tanah Datar, the local province.

Meanwhile, the other five bodies remained at the original graves without being moved, so they only put the victim's name on the tombstone.

Acting Head of the Sumbar Regional Police's Health Department, AKBP dr Faizal, added that the total number of victims who had been identified by the DVI Team was 221 people.

Meanwhile, another 28 bodies are still waiting for the results of DNA examination at the laboratory for matching data with comparison samples.

The details of the victims who have not been identified are 12 men, nine women, and seven others in the form of body parts.

Head of Public Relations of West Sumatra Police, Kombes Pol Susmelawati Rosya, emphasized that until now the National Police DVI Team continues to work extra to identify all victims of disasters in West Sumatra, so that families get clarity and certainty.