Kathmandu, May 24
Amidst the nationwide lockdown and a suspension of flights to control the coronavirus outbreak in the country, the bodies of at least 149 Nepalis who died abroad due to different causes are waiting to be taken to Nepal for the final rites.
In addition, 58 bodies have been buried or burned abroad in the past two months.
The Foreign Employment Board says 207 deaths have been reported since March last week when Nepal introduced the suspension of international flights. Whereas 58 bodies have been buried or burned abroad, family members of the rest are urging the government to take back the bodies as soon as possible.
There are 42 bodies in Malaysia and another 42 in Saudi Arabia. Likewise, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait have 35, 14, and 11 bodies of Nepalis respectively.
There are two bodies in Bahrain and one each in Turkey and Oman.
As the lockdown is being extended time and again, the government, of late, has introduced an incentive to promote the funeral abroad. The board, accordingly, give the deceased’s family Rs 50,000 if it agrees to burn or bury the body abroad.
So far, 58 families have agreed not to take back the bodies of their kin in the past two months.
Meanwhile, the government has barred bringing in Nepal the bodies of the Covid-19 victims.
