On 29/7, the Quang Ngai Provincial Military Command announced that Sample Collection Team 5 discovered artifacts a day prior during the excavation of an unidentified grave at Duc Minh Martyrs' Cemetery in Mo Cay commune.
Two portrait photos, preserved at about 60% of their original condition, depict a woman and a man. Authorities also found a leather wallet, a piece of parachute fabric, and a pair of tweezers.
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The wallet with two portraits preserved at about 60% of their original condition. Photo: Ngoc Linh
Captain Nguyen Van Truong, a member of Sample Collection Team 5, stated that these artifacts could be crucial clues for identifying the martyr. Officers and soldiers have collected, wrapped, labeled, and sealed the items for verification.
Colonel Trinh Cong Son, Deputy Political Commissar of the Quang Ngai Provincial Military Command, said the unit plans to restore the two photos. They will also coordinate with functional agencies and local authorities nationwide to cross-reference records and locate the martyr's relatives.
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Two portrait photos of a woman and a man found in the wallet at Duc Minh Martyrs' Cemetery, Mo Cay commune, Quang Ngai. Photo: Ngoc Linh
Quang Ngai was selected by Military Region 5 as a pilot locality for DNA sampling in the 500-day and night campaign to intensify the search, collection, and identification of martyrs' remains.
The province has 127 cemeteries containing 37,689 martyrs' graves. Of these, 13,656 graves lack identifying information and are slated for DNA sampling. Quang Ngai has established one specialized task force and eight sampling teams, aiming to process an average of 160 graves daily, with completion targeted for October.
To date, the teams have processed 1,139 graves across 28 cemeteries. Of these, 927 biological samples, representing over 80% of those collected, met the requirements for DNA identification.
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Colonel Trinh Cong Son (holding the wallet) stated that the unit will restore the two photos to cross-reference records and find relatives. Photo: Ngoc Linh
Pham Linh
