Odisha train accident: 28 unclaimed bodies cremated by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation

The bodies were preserved at AIIMS and handed over to Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the cremation.

"Finally, we have come to the logical conclusion and in the process, many agencies were involved from central ministries to state government. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is the final disposing authority. Whatever approval and permissions we had sought have come. Now we are handing over the bodies to the health officer BMC...A total of 28 bodies are left with us and BMC has started taking out the bodies," said AIIMS Bhubaneswar Medical Superintendent Dilip Parida on unclaimed bodies of Balasore Train Tragedy victims handed over to Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).

BMC Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange said that the cremation was done in the presence of CBI and BMC (Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation) officials.

"Yesterday, as per the procedure and decision taken by CBI and Khurda Collector, we took custody of all these (unclaimed) 28 bodies (of Balasore train tragedy victims) for their cremation. The cremation was done in the presence of CBI and BMC (Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation) officials", BMC Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange said in a statement.

A total number of 162 bodies were received by AIIMS.

Out of a total of 162 dead bodies, 81 were identified by the relatives. Out of the remaining 81, the identities of 53 were confirmed by DNA profiling. 28 remaining unidentified were handed over to BMC for final cremation on Tuesday, the release stated.

The Odisha train tragedy took place in the Balasore district in the month of June which claimed 296 lives. On June 2023, three trains, Coromandel Express, a goods train and SMVT Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express collided. 176 people sustained grievous injuries, 451 suffered simple injuries and 180 received first aid treatment.

One technician and two signal engineers were held responsible for the accident, as per CBI. (ANI)