Odisha train tragedy: Bhubaneswar AIIMS procures containers from Paradip port to store dead bodies

Even as several people are making rounds from one place to another to get information about their loved ones following the train mishap at Bahanaga Bazaar station in Balasore district, the process of identification of those killed in the tragic train accident still remains a challenge.

The relatives from different parts of the country are now moving from one hospital to another in Odisha. Though the administration is trying to help the relatives to identify bodies through photographs, some of the bodies are not recognizable as they have been mutilated, informed sources. 
 
“On the day of the accident I visited the spot and after seeing the general coach, I had immediately realized my son is no more,” said a family member of a deceased.

Another relative said, “I had seen around 160 pictures and later came to Bhubaneswar. But so far I have not got any information.” 

Odisha Chief Secretary, Pradeep Jena said, “Odisha government will bear expenses to transport bodies and issue and deliver death certificate to the families electronically and through speed post after completion of the identification process.”

AIIMS Bhubaneswar has received 123 dead bodies and already 43 bodies have been handed over to the next of their kin after following necessary protocol and identification.

The AIIMS Bhubaneswar Executive Director, Ashutosh Biswas on Monday informed that they have procured five containers from Paradip port to store the dead bodies for a longer period.

“As no hospital has adequate deep freezers to keep so many bodies, we have brought five containers from Paradip port. In one container, we can keep around 30 to 40 bodies,” said Biswas.

According to Biswas, a plan was chalked out after necessary instructions from the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who recently took stock of the situation here after the train mishap.

“At present, we have around 80 dead bodies here and the identification process is on. The identification of 15 to 16 bodies has been completed and they will be handed over after completion of necessary formalities,” Biswas said.

The Bhubaneswar AIIMS Executive Director further said that the preservation of bodies is challenging. At present, the focus is on embalming and handing over the bodies to the next of kin of the deceased after identification and other formalities.