According to the Steering Committee 515 of Can Tho, as of the morning of August 5, the campaign had excavated 2,002 martyrs’ graves. Of these, 1,427 graves met the requirements for DNA sampling, while 575 did not. Specialist teams have collected 1,433 bone samples, including 670 that have already been transferred for DNA analysis and 763 that are undergoing the remaining procedures before handover. A further 3,090 graves are yet to be excavated.
At the O Mon Martyrs’ cemetery, authorities have excavated 1,195 graves. Of these, 757 met the requirements for DNA sampling, 438 did not, and 129 remain to be excavated. During the latest phase of the operation, an additional 36 graves were excavated, including 34 that yielded viable DNA samples, while two could not be sampled because no remains were found or the remains had completely decomposed.
According to Colonel Pham Ngoc Quang, Political Commissar of the Can Tho Military Command, unpredictable weather conditions and the differing structures of graves across cemeteries have posed considerable challenges to the excavation and sampling process. However, drawing on the experience gained during previous operations, the participating forces will prioritise the most challenging sites and strive to complete the mission in accordance with the directives of the city’s leadership by 2026.
Alongside DNA sampling, the Temporary Team for the Search and Recovery of Fallen Soldiers’ Remains has continued to expand its surveys and verification efforts across multiple locations. Since July 14, the team has recovered the remains of 15 fallen soldiers, including 11 sets of remains in Phong Dien Commune, two in Truong Long Tay Commune, and two additional sets transferred by Team K90.
Despite persistent challenges, including the loss of information on burial sites, the dwindling number of historical witnesses, changes in terrain and limited equipment, Can Tho remains committed to accelerating DNA sampling, forensic analysis and the identification of fallen soldiers’ remains. These efforts are expected to contribute to the effective implementation of policies honouring those who sacrificed for the nation while fulfilling the long-held wishes of the martyrs’ families after many years of waiting.
