Odisha triple train collision: 29 bodies yet to be identified after two months of tragedy

Odisha triple train collision: At least 29 victims of the Odisha triple train collision, which killed 294 passengers in June, are yet to be identified, officials said on Tuesday.

The final batch of DNA reports will be received this week, with only two or three samples expected to match, according to Dilip Parida, superintendent of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar.

"AIIMS had received a total of 162 bodies in two phases, of which 133 bodies have been handed over to their relatives and family members after DNA sample matching," Parida added.

"The 29 unidentified bodies are being kept in AIIMS containers. The central government and the Odisha government will decide what to do with the unclaimed bodies," Parida remarked.

On the evening of June 2, the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express, the Howrah-bound SMVP-Howrah Superfast Express, and a goods train were engaged in the deadliest accident in recent years in Balasore district, around 200 kilometres from the capital Bhubaneswar.

Most victims were identified in the aftermath of the accident using their Aadhaar cards, driving licenses, or PAN cards.

However, in the case of victims who did not have identification or when there is more than one claimed for a body, the hospital sent DNA samples to identify the deceased.

The hospital ordered container-sized freezers from the Paradip port to keep the deceased cold enough to prevent further decomposition.

If the samples match by more than 50%, the person's identity can be determined. AIIMS officials stated that the success of DNA sampling was dependent on how soon after death the samples were taken and if they were taken from the deceased's molar teeth.

“DNA sequencing of bodies in an advanced state of decomposing is a problem. Since the bodies were received more than 30 hours after the tragedy with much of the bodies decomposed, it was a very difficult task for the forensic labs to conduct DNA sequencing and profiling. The quality of samples was not that good and that affected the process,” an official said.

Because molar teeth were missing in some cases, doctors were compelled to preserve the canine or incisor teeth; bones were collected as well and submitted for DNA analysis.

Bodies can only be maintained for a long time if embalming is done within 12 hours of death, however because of the delay in sending the remains to AIIMS, the unidentifiable bodies could not be embalmed.

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