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What Will Become of the Dead?

By Jeralyn, Section Huricanes Katrina and Rita
Posted on Sun Sep 04, 2005 at 09:21:20 AM EST
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With most of New Orleans evacuated, there may be more dead bodies than living persons left behind. What will become of the dead?

Mayor C. Ray Nagin, who predicted that the death toll could reach into the thousands, said Saturday that officials were assembling refrigerated 18-wheelers that would serve as roaming morgues. Nagin said it might be impossible to find enough room to bury the bodies; they might all be cremated.

Many may never be identified. Particularly if there are no wallets or identification on them.

< Roberts Hearing Should Be Delayed | Sunday Morning Katrina News >

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    What Will Become of the Dead? | 3 comments (3 topical)
    Re: What Will Become of the Dead? (none / 0) (#1)
    by aw on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:12 PM EST
    Can they take DNA samples like they did in NYC? Or is that just too overwhelming due to the numbers and situation? (Real question, not a criticism.)

    Re: What Will Become of the Dead? (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:13 PM EST
    I truly hope they take samples from all of the rape (and murder) victims at the convention center and the superdome. People should be prosecuted for such heinous acts.

    Re: What Will Become of the Dead? (none / 0) (#3)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:15 PM EST
    Halfway down the Florida Keys at mile marker 81 of Highway 1 is the memorial for the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. I was there a few months ago and took some photos of it, then felt a chill as I read the interpretive sign and learned that the cremated remains of hundreds of unidentified victims are interred within the memorial. Ernest Hemingway wrote about those victims 70 years ago this month: "...and the high wall of water rolls you over and over and then, whatever it is, you get it and we find you, now of no importance stinking in the mangroves. You're dead now, brother..."

    What Will Become of the Dead? | 3 comments (3 topical)