Spanish Civil War victim recovery efforts

Efforts to identify and recover victims of the Spanish Civil War are ongoing through forensic investigation and regional exhumations.

In Cuelgamuros, a forensic laboratory has been established in the Holy Sepulchre chapel to identify remains through DNA testing. The site holds more than 33,800 victims from both sides of the conflict, with approximately 12,000 bodies remaining unidentified. While 214 families have formally requested searches for relatives, controversy persists regarding whether to continue excavating mass graves or cease disturbing the remains. A recent RTVE documentary, ‘Cuelgamuros, entre lo difícil y lo imposible’, provided unprecedented access to the crypts, noting that unidentified remains are often stored in boxes or plastic bags.

In other regions, historical memory groups and local authorities are conducting exhumations. In Salamanca, the Association Salamanca for Memory and Justice is seeking descendants of specific individuals to facilitate DNA testing for 17 repressed victims. In Urkiola Natural Park, the Association for the Historical Memory Saibigain 1937 has recovered nine bodies, believed to be Republican combatants from the 1937 battles.

Newer operations in Aracena, Huelva, have uncovered the remains of 17 individuals at the San Sebastián cemetery. Initial anthropological analysis indicates the remains are males of varying ages. This represents the first phase of a larger project where experts estimate between 140 and 180 bodies may be located. To facilitate identification, genetic samples have been collected from over 50 relatives to be sent to the University of Granada for DNA testing. This project is coordinated by the municipal Heritage area and funded by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP).