Odisha Govt Revises Triple Train Accident Toll To 288; 205 Bodies Identified

Bhubaneswar: Revising the toll in the June 2 horrific train accident in Odisha’s Balasore district, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena on Tuesday said that 288 were killed in the crash, involving Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah super fast and a goods train.

“We had confirmed 275 deaths in the train accident till yesterday. Following verification of bodies and updates received from collectors, the death figures mounted to 288,” he told mediapersons

The Chief Secretary further informed that 205 bodies have been identified so far and handed over to their relatives. “110 of 193 bodies sent to Bhubaneswar in 96 ambulances have been identified and handed over to their families and relatives. One person undergoing treatment at Bhadrak succumbed to the injuries. The body has been handed over and so also of 94 deceased in Balasore district,” he said.

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He said that the DNA samples of the remaining 83 are being collected. “We have received many queries on the toll free numbers released by the government. We are hoping for significant progress by tomorrow and expecting all bodies to be identified,” he said.

Also Read: Odisha Train Crash: Families Giving DNA Samples For Identification Of Decomposed Bodies

Jena said that the government is bearing the treatment cost of train accident victims and transportation of bodies to respective destinations. Among the injured, condition of one is stated to be critical, he added.

Earlier in the day, the Railways had put the toll at 278, stating that 3 passengers had succumbed to their injuries.

Also Read: Railways Puts Odisha Train Accident Toll At 278 As 3 More Succumb; 1100 Injured