00:00A disturbing discovery in Komoto has triggered a national investigation and raised urgent questions about the handling of unclaimed human
00:08remains in Trinidad and Tobago.
00:10Police reportedly intercepted two men attempting to bury a large number of bodies at the Komoto Public Cemetery,
00:17later uncovering what is believed to be 56 bodies, including approximately 50 infants.
00:23The gruesome find has sparked public outrage and concern over whether proper procedures were followed in the disposal of the
00:31unclaimed corpses.
00:33In the Senate, the issue was raised by Farah Salrawi, opposition senator,
00:37who pressed for answers on how such an act could occur and what is being done to prevent a repeat.
00:44Responding Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander suggested early findings point away from serial killings
00:51and instead towards systemic failure.
00:55Our information suggests that this case of unlawful disposal of unclaimed corpses rather than a series of individual crimes.
01:06For instance, five adults had morgue tags placed on them.
01:14The minister also pointed to broader concerns.
01:17The president of the Undertaker's Association has noted that this highlights a deep need, Mr. President,
01:32for more stringent regulations regarding how funerals, funeral homes and morgues dispose of their remains.
01:44He says forensic work is already underway to confirm their hypothesis.
01:49The Forensic Science Center and Analysis is currently underwent to determine the exact origin of the human's remains.
02:02We are committed to restoring public confidence by ensuring that these procedures and legal breaches are met with the full
02:10force of the law.
02:11And with public confidence shaken, the government says legislative action is coming.
02:17The government is committed to ensuring that the necessary legislation is brought before parliament to ensure that this never happens
02:30again.
02:31The incident has exposed potential gaps in oversight of funeral homes, morgues and the handling of unclaimed bodies,
02:39prompting calls for urgent reform as investigations continue.
02:43Arvishita Warirup Narayan, TV6 News.
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