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200 bodies still trapped in mangled compartments

Arup Chanda in Gaisal, West Bengal

Two days after one of the country's worst train accidents, rescue workers here are finding it difficult to extricate bodies from the mangled compartments.

More than two hundred bodies which are trapped inside, rescue workers said, are badly mutilated and decomposed. This has made their task more difficult. Despite wearing masks, the stench is unbearable.

Rescue operations continued throughout last night and today.

Authorities said they were likely to recover all the trapped bodies by midnight. The work of clearing the debris will begin immediately after.

Another major problem facing the authorities is that of identification of the dead. Out of the 327 bodies which have so far been taken to various hospitals, only 60 have been identified. Sources said many bodies are mutilated beyond recognition.

Hospitals near here are overflowing with injured and those looking for their near and dear ones. Said Ganga Prasad, who has come from Bihar looking for his brother who was travelling in the Assam-Awadh Express, "I know he is dead... I have visited all the hospitals and could not find him among the injured. But I am yet to see his body."

A large number of people who have gathered at this small railway station are not happy with the authorities' decision to go in for a mass cremation after waiting for another 72 hours for identification of bodies. However, district magistrate, Dinajpur said there was no other option. "By then it will be almost five days after the mishap. Bodies by then will beyond identification.''

Meanwhile, investigations into the accident began today. Primarily it has been established that the drivers of Assam-Awadh Express, Rajendra Roy and R S Thakur, got a signal from Kisangunj station and changed tracks at Panjipara, seven kilometres from Gaisal station.

The down Brahmaputra Mail was coming at a speed of 100 km/hr on the down track when it collided head-on with the Assam-Awadh Express.

Two railway employees posted at Gaisal station, who were absconding, joined duty today. However, their identities have been kept a secret.

All railway personnel posted in the area will be questioned by M Mani, the chief commissioner of railway safety, who is investigating the accident.

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