Dutch police have identified human remains washed ashore on the island of Texel in October 2023 as those of two Afghan men aged 20 and 27.
The identification followed an extensive international investigation involving humanitarian organizations, local police said.
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A beachcomber discovered lower legs and clothing on Texel in late 2023. A shoe containing a foot was found several kilometers away.
Authorities quickly suspected the remains belonged to migrants trying to cross the English Channel. A phone with a French SIM card was recovered from a pocket.
Initial searches in international databases yielded no DNA matches. The samples did not match any individuals reported missing in the Netherlands.
Police eventually identified the victims after Red Cross aid workers traveled to Afghanistan to collect DNA samples from relatives, leading to a match last month.
Surviving family members expressed relief alongside their pain after learning the outcome of the years-long search.
"Every day was grief and sorrow," relatives said in a statement to NH Nieuws.
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"Now that we know this and have certainty, there is grief and relief at the same time."
Law enforcement officials emphasized the importance of bringing closure to families awaiting news of missing relatives.
"The message is not good, but we are happy and proud that we can offer clarity to those left behind," said Dutch police.
"We know what it does to people when the fate of their loved one is unclear. Such a search can take forever.
We are glad that we were able to spare these people that and offer certainty."
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Authorities have not investigated the exact cause of death or how the remains washed ashore. Both men have been laid to rest on Texel in an anonymous grave.
