2 months to the gut-wrenching Odisha train tragedy

Bhubaneswar: Two months have passed since the deadly Odisha train accident, that took place in Bahanaga of Balasore district. However, the horrific scenes are still fresh in the minds of people who witnessed the accident and its impact.

Nearly 296 people were killed while over 1,100 others were injured following a triple train mishap at Bahanaga railway station in the Balasore district on June 2 (Friday). The three trains which were involved in the accident are the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express, and a goods train.

The reason of the accident was earlier confirmed that the signal for Coromandel Express was given for passing through the up main line and then taken off for up main line with the goods train which was on the up loop line.

Due to the accident, many people lost their loved ones. From the total casualties, there are a total of 29 bodies in All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, which are yet to be identified.

“All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar had received a total of 162 dead bodies in two phases, of which 133 bodies have been handed over to their relatives and family members,” said Dillip Kumar Parida, superintendent, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar on Aug 1.

He said the 29 unidentified bodies are preserved in the containers at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. The last phase DNA sampling reports are likely to come up in a week.

The central government and Odisha government will decide what to do with the bodies, which will remain unclaimed after the last phase DNA report, he added.

The bodies of the victims were reportedly handed over to the relatives based on the result of the DNA test and with coordination with AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Government Railway Police (GRP).

Ambulance and escort vehicle for families were arranged by Odisha government and East Coast Railway, respectively. Exgratia has been paid to the kins of the family members by Railways as announced by Prime Minister and Railway Minister.

The process of handing over of the bodies will continue till claimants come forward.