After a year-long investigation, Dutch police have identified remains discovered on Texel island in 2023 as belonging to two Afghan refugees, aged 20 and 27. The remains – including legs and a foot in a shoe – were initially found by a beachcomber and suspected to be from individuals attempting to cross the English Channel. Investigators found a French SIM card in one victim’s pocket, linking the case to migrant crossings from France to Britain. Despite extensive searches and DNA comparisons failing to yield results in international databases, the Red Cross aided in obtaining DNA from family members in Afghanistan, leading to a match last month. The bodies have been buried in anonymous graves on Texel, and families have been notified. Police described the investigation as unique and expressed relief at providing closure to the families, acknowledging the enduring pain of uncertainty.