Odisha train tragedy: Families fight for victims’ bodies, state govt begins DNA sampling
Bhubaneswar: With relatives of the Odisha train tragedy victims visiting different hospitals to look for the bodies of their loved ones and amid multiple claims for a single body, the government has started collecting DNA sample of the visitors.
“Wherever there is confusion over identity of the body, we will take a decision only after conducting the DNA test. There were a few cases where we came to know about multiple claimants for a single body,” said Bhubaneswar Municipal Commissioner Vijay Amrut Kulange.
A DNA testing centre has also been opened at AIIMS on Monday where samples of over 20 people have already been collected. The Odisha government, meanwhile, revised the final death toll in the train accident to 288 from 275.
“According to the final report submitted by the Balasore district collector, 193 bodies were sent to Bhubaneswar. In Balasore, 94 bodies were identified and handed over to their families while one body was handed over in Bhadrak,” said Chief Secretary P K Jena.
Helpline number 8280346629 has been issued for this DNA identification. Relatives can contact for DNA test by calling this number. After receiving the report, the dead body will be handed over to the concerned family members.
