Bhubaneswar: Nearly a month after the tragic collision of three trains at Bahanaga railway station in Odisha's Balasore district claimed hundreds of lives, bodies of 29 more victims were ascertained through DNA tests and are likely to be handed over to respective families here at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar today.
The mortal remains belong to atleast 81 passengers who were killed in the train accident and were preserved at AIIMS Bhubaneswar due to difficulty in physical identification. As per reports, around 15 bodies had more than one claimant. Due to confusion in the identification process, samples of 78 bodies were sent to AIIMS New Delhi for DNA testing.
Of these, DNA samples were cross-matched and ananlysis reports of 29 were received by railway authorities in the first phase. Those identified are from West Bengal, Bihar and Odisha.
Following intimation by the authorities, relatives of the deceased reached AIIMS Bhubaneswar in the morning to collect the mortal remains. Official sources said arrangements have been made for ambulances for families who want to carry the bodies to their respective areas. Those bodiesĀ which will not be claimed by any kin will be cremated in Bhubaneswar.
On June 2, the tragic mishap claimed over 200 people after Chennai-bound Coromandel Express hit a stationary goods train after entering the loop line and its derailed carriages then collided with the two rear carriages of the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, another passenger train passing in the opposite direction on another track. As per latest data, at least 293 people died and around 1200 persons injured in the accident.