Odisha train tragedy: People from neighbouring states continue frantic search of their close relatives

People from Odisha and the neighbouring states like Chhattisgarh, Bihar and West Bengal are continuing their frantic search to find out their family members even two days after the horrific triple train tragedy at Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore district on Friday evening.

While some of them are searching for their missing son, some others are desperately trying to find out their brothers and other close relatives who had boarded the ill-fated Coromandel Express.

Some of the missing persons had talked with their family members just before the accident. But their close relatives are not able to find them at the accident spot even after two days. Some of the family members have got the news about the death of their close relatives. But after reaching the spot they are not finding the bodies of the deceased.

After reaching Balasore, some of the family members are searching their relatives at the accident spot in Bahanaga station, Bahanaga High School, Balasore and Bhadrak amid the scorching heat, but in vain.

“I am searching for my son MD Mazhar desperately, but not getting any help from anybody. I request the administration to find my son. I don’t want anything else. My son with another fellow was going from Bhadrak to Howrah. The other fellow has been found, but my son is yet to be rescued. I have been searching for him since tomorrow, but no official is extending any kind of help to us,” said missing Mazhar’s mother.

A CRPF jawan from Bankura in West Bengal, who had boarded the train for his promotion training, is also missing following the horrific accident.

CRPF jawan Nikhil Dhara had boarded the ill-fated Coromandel Express. However, he is yet to be identified. Dhara’s family members have reached Bahanaga. They are continuing their frantic search at different places but in vain. In their desperate bid to search Nikhil, they have met administrative and police officials and enquired about the missing jawan, but nobody has any answer.

As per reports, Dhar’s uniform, suitcase, and mobile phones have been found from the accident spot, but he is still missing.

“I am not been able to find my husband yet. Some of his belongings have been recovered. Now, we are helpless on how to find him,” said Nikhil’s wife Baishakhi.

After getting information about his brother’s death from the administration, one Birendra Kumar also rushed to Bahanaga from Bihar. However, he has not been able to identify the body yet.

“I have searched my brother’s body in three medicals, but in vain,” said Kumar.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Zahangir from West Bengal has been searching for his younger brother Sheik Sohel Ali for the last two days without any success.

“I have been searching for my brother in different places and medicals for the last two days. However, I have not yet found him anywhere. I am also not getting any help from anybody in this regard,” said Zahangir.