Hyderabad: The uncertainty of relatives of several of the victims of the last week’s Volvo bus mishap, ended on Monday when the Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory experts identified 19 of the 42 charred bodies.
APFSL experts used DNA fingerprinting technique after extracting tissue samples from the charred bodies. APFSL director A. Sharada said that the lab is working round the clock to identify the other bodies. Two cases are particularly challenging as it is difficult to get any DNA from them and the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics has agreed to help with those cases.
“We have identified 19 of 42 bodies using DNA fingerprinting. The forensic team of OGH is also helping us. Our priority is to identify all the bodies. Later, we will focus on the forensic examination of the crime scene samples,” Sharada said.
Three families have taken the bodies of their relatives, and more bodies will be handed over to relatives on Tuesday, said Wanaparthy deputy superintendent of police B. Srinivas Reddy The Crime Investigation Department is yet to take over the probe.
A team of the Wanaparthy police led by inspector Giri Babu went to Bengaluru to search the office of the bus operator, Jabbar Travels. Police has so far arrested bus driver Feroz Pasha and the director of Jabbar Travels, Shakeel.
“There is no truth in the report that cans of chemicals were being transported in the bus,” said Srinivas Reddy. Police said that hair wigs were present in the bus, but they didn’t catch fire and were found intact. “The fire has spread basically due to curtains, fibre and flammable interiors and seats,” the DSP added.
One of the survivors of the bus fire, Yogesh, who sustained 45 degree burns, is doing better, said Dr Samiullah, administrator of the Apollo hospital where five survivors are under treatment. “His facial swelling is reduced, he is breathing by himself, maintaining oxygen saturation, his vitals are normal, and he has started liquid diet. The other four are also stable,” he said.
Deccan Chronicle
