New Orleans inters final Katrina victims

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- New Orleans officials Friday interred the remains of the final seven unknown or unclaimed victims of Hurricane Katrina in a mausoleum.

Pallbearers, including police and other emergency responders, carried the coffins to one of the six mausoleums at the Charity Hospital Cemetery Hurricane Katrina Memorial set up for victims who were either not identified after the storm or were left unclaimed by their families, The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported Friday.

The remains were interred as part of a ceremony marking the third anniversary of the day Katrina devastated New Orleans. Mayor Ray Nagin, members of the City Council and other officials attended the ceremony.

"This represents the final bodies from Katrina, the last unknown victim of Katrina," Nagin said. "This represents the pain and suffering."

The remains of 74 people were interred Thursday at the memorial, which was built on the site of the former Charity Hospital Cemetery.

Nagin, U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., and retired Gen. Russel Honore rang three bells at 9:38 a.m. to mark the time of the first levee break in 2005.