BANGKOK, March 1 — The body of a Thai nursing student missing in last week’s powerful Christchurch, New Zealand, earthquake was identified by her fingerprints, Thai police said.

One of five Asian bodies retrieved Monday was identified as a Thai national, Hataya Lueangsurapeesakul. Forensic results were reported at a teleconference by national police chief Wichean Potephosree and Pol Lt-Gen Jarumporn Suramanee, Commissioner of the Scientific Crime Detection Division.

Another 24 bodies were retrieved on Tuesday, raising the total number of the bodies found to 77. One body is believed to be that of another Thai woman, Wanpen Preeklang, as five fingerprints matched. However, the other hand cannot be confirmed as the hand was burnt to the elbow.

MCOT