Identification Pending for 28 Bodies in Bahanaga Train Tragedy:
Despite the passing of three months since the tragic train accident in Bahanaga, located in Balasore district, Odisha, 28 bodies remain unidentified. The train tragedy occurred on June 2 and resulted in the loss of 296 lives. These unidentified bodies have been preserved in a specialized deep freezer chamber at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bhubaneswar.
According to AIIMS authorities, there were a total of 81 bodies and 110 claimants. After conducting necessary DNA tests to match identities, 53 bodies were successfully handed over to their respective families. However, it has been surprising that, in the past 10 days, no individuals have come forward to claim the remaining 28 bodies. Dilip Parida, the superintendent of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, explained that they are currently awaiting instructions from the Ministry of Railways and the Odisha government in this matter.
As the case is under investigation by the CBI, the agency is the custodian of the bodies, and AIIMS has only been responsible for preserving them. Parida noted that they will act according to the instructions received and hand over the bodies to the CBI. It is unlikely that any claimants will come forward, given the lack of response in the past 10 days. All the bodies have been stored in a deep freezer, preventing the natural decomposition process.
DNA sampling had been conducted for 110 bodies following the Bahanaga train tragedy. On June 2, the Coromandel Express collided with a stationary goods train on the loop line at Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore. At the same time, the Bengaluru-Howrah Express, traveling on the downline, was impacted by the derailed coaches of the Coromandel Express. The accident resulted in the loss of 296 lives, severe injuries to 176 individuals, minor injuries to 451, and first aid treatment for 180 others.
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