Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Family and friends of the 26 victims of the fire that broke out on the Bangalore-Nanded Express were subjected to a long wait for identification of the bodies of their kin as authorities in Ananthapur and Bangalore ensured that the charred and disfigured bodies were handed to relatives after following proper procedures,including DNA identification.
Though the 26 bodies arrived at the mortuary of Victoria Hospital by 3.30 pm,relatives and friends had to wait anxiously till 7 pm for the investigating officer from Ananthapur,who registered the case,to arrive and take charge of the identification process.
At Victoria Hospital,authorities allowed families of victims who had been identified to claim the bodies with an undertaking stating the details of their train booking,producing an original identity document of the victim and a guarantee that the bodies would be buried and not cremated in order to handle any identity disputes that might arise later. We dont want to take any chances in the matter, an official said.
