Arabic version: تحقيق يكشف قبوراً جماعية غير معلَّمة في نيو ساوث ويلز

According to The Guardian, a special investigation has found that Australians described as “persons without means” are being buried in unmarked communal graves, often in bare patches of earth between walkways and old headstones.

Guardian Australia examined evidence from family and friends, cemetery registries, and aerial and satellite imagery. Its investigation found that the vast majority of the graves had no plaque or tombstone, leaving families to discover that loved ones had been buried without a marked resting place.

The reporting includes accounts from Rookwood cemetery, where an overgrown area was described as a “swamp”. Jayne, searching for graves there, asked where they were and was told: “You’re standing on them.”

The investigation says hundreds of Australians, including war veterans, have been buried in unmarked communal graves. NSW Health, which oversees the process, issued an immediate apology following the findings.

New South Wales health minister Ryan Park has indicated that he wants to end the use of unmarked communal graves. Guardian chief investigations correspondent Christopher Knaus and investigations reporter Ariel Bogle discussed the investigation and the impact on families with Reged Ahmad in the Full Story podcast.