Romania probes mass grave after alleged discovery of COVID-era bodies

Romanian authorities are investigating the discovery of human remains and bags allegedly containing bodies from the COVID-19 pandemic period at a municipal cemetery in the southern city of Slatina, after the city’s mayor raised concerns over how the remains were buried and handled.

The remains were discovered at Strehareți Cemetery, where police opened an investigation after cemetery workers found human bones during excavation work. Authorities seized hundreds of bones for forensic examination.

Slatina Mayor Mario De Mezzo said further digging uncovered bags containing bodies that had not decomposed and were believed to date from the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the bags bore burial dates and were of the type used during the pandemic, when burials were subject to special rules.

“Hundreds of human bones were discovered, which the Criminal Investigation Department seized for examination, but, what is extremely serious, after the excavations, bags containing undecomposed bodies left over from the COVID-19 pandemic were found,” De Mezzo said.

He said the remains had been buried “in a special manner,” which he argued pointed to possible criminal conduct.

Romanian authorities have not yet established the origin of all the remains or determined the circumstances in which the bodies were handled and buried. Police have been investigating the case since human remains were first reported at the cemetery on September 16. According to judicial sources cited by Romanian media, investigators subsequently removed multiple bags containing human remains from the site.

De Mezzo has accused Romania’s investigative authorities of moving too slowly, saying he first notified law enforcement about the matter on September 3. He has also complained that no suspects had been identified in the case.

The cemetery had been privately administered for about 16 years before the municipality regained control earlier in September. Romanian media have reported allegations that the former administrator may have removed remains from existing burial plots and placed them in communal graves in order to free up burial spaces. Those allegations are subject to the ongoing investigation.

Romania was among the European countries heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of February 2022, the country had reported about 2.8 million COVID-19 cases and 64,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation. A later WHO/European Observatory assessment estimated more than 119,000 excess deaths in Romania between 2020 and 2022.

The investigation is expected to determine the identity and origin of the remains and whether any criminal offences were committed in connection with their handling and burial.

By Tamilla Hasanova