Gaul families still wait on Russians for bodies inspection

Efforts are continuing to send a team to Russia to help identify the remains of up to 10 men who could be crew members of Hull supertrawler the Gaul.

The remains, which had been buried in a cave by local people, were discovered in 2012 by a Russian official.

A letter from Humberside Police to relatives says the team would be made up of three police officers and a forensic anthropologist, but that no date has been set.

West Hull and Hessle MP Alan Johnson has written to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to lend his support, it adds.

All the families of the 36 men lost when the Gaul sank in a storm in February 1974 were asked to provide DNA samples.

At least five sets of remains, but not more than 10, were placed under rocks on the remote Rybachy peninsula in the Murmansk region after being washed up in 1974 or 1975. The letter said: “We are continuing to have discussions with the FCO regarding the possibility of a team visiting Russia to review what identification options are open to us. If the planned visit goes ahead we will inform you of the dates.”

A spokeswoman for the force said the purpose of the visit would be for assessment initially: “We want to send a team at the earliest opportunity but no date has been set yet. We are working in partnership with the FCO to facilitate the visit because the jurisdiction lies with the Russian authorities and we need their permission to be there.”

Friday 06 June 2014

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/gaul-families-still-wait-on-russians-for-bodies-inspection-1-6657558