Tragic Odisha Train Accident Victims’ Bodies to be Scientifically Disposed by BMC Four Months Later

Tragic Odisha Train Accident Victims' Bodies to be Scientifically Disposed by BMC Four Months Later

VoM News Desk | October 9, 2023 | 07:17 AM IST | Accidents, Odisha | Follow on Google News

Tragic Odisha Train Accident Victims’ Bodies to be Scientifically Disposed by BMC Four Months Later

Tragic Odisha Train Accident Victims’ Bodies to be Scientifically Disposed by BMC Four Months Later

In a solemn development that comes four months after a devastating triple train accident in Odisha’s Balasore district claimed the lives of 297 people, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated the process of disposing of 28 unidentified bodies. This crucial step is being taken in accordance with a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the civic body to scientifically handle the remains of those individuals whose rightful claimants could not be located.

BMC Steps Up for Scientific Disposal

BMC Mayor Sulochana Das stated, “We have issued an SOP for the scientific disposal of the unclaimed bodies of those who were killed in the triple train accident. The bodies will be handed over to the corporation in the presence of CBI officials, and we are planning for the cremation on Tuesday.” This move was initiated following a request from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has been actively investigating the train accident, to the Khurda district collector to ensure the proper and scientific disposal of the bodies.

An Enduring Tragedy

Since the tragic accident unfolded in June, the bodies had been housed at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The BMC has also made arrangements for the seamless transportation of these bodies from AIIMS to the cremation grounds located in Satyanagar and Bharatpur within the city. The AIIMS Bhubaneswar director is set to officially hand over the bodies to the BMC health officer, adhering to the established rules and guidelines set by the state, the Centre, and the National Human Rights Commission for the cremation process. Notably, the entire process will be meticulously documented through video-graphing, in accordance with the SOP issued by the BMC.

This tragedy has seen a total of 162 bodies received by AIIMS Bhubaneswar, with 81 of them successfully returned to the family members of the victims during the initial phase. Subsequently, another 53 bodies were handed over to family members following DNA tests. However, the remains of 28 individuals have remained unclaimed.

Recalling the Tragic Incident

The train accident involved the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, the Bengaluru-Howrah Super Fast Express, and a goods train. It was the Coromandel Express that collided with a stationary goods train, leading to the derailment of most of its coaches. This catastrophic incident occurred around 7 pm on June 2, near the Bahanaga Bazar station, with a few coaches of the Coromandel Express impacting the last few coaches of the Bengaluru-Howrah Express, which was passing by at the same time.

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