Mangalore:
It's a nightmare to find out your family was in air crash and perhaps what makes it worse is the agonising wait for the bodies and the painful identification process when many have only an earring or shoes or a watch strap to go by. But some officials at work in the hospitals are doing that extra bit to make the process a little better.
A family rushing through barricades at the Wenlock Hospital in Mangalore. A sister who had to be forcefully taken out of the mortuary after she saw her brother charred beyond recognition. This mother's tears have dried up and emotions numb.
A day after the ill fated Air India plane from Dubai to Mangalore crashed near the Bajpe airport, several mothers, brothers, fathers and sisters spent the day in shock, unable to believe that they could not identify their loved ones among the several charred bodies recovered.
"I want to get the DNA test done as soon as possible and claim my son's body. His mother and wife are waiting at home," said Anjappan, father of one of the victims, Riju.
For many, a shoe, a piece of cloth or a watch strap became a clue to conclude that they found their relative. But for many others even after putting pieces of a body together didn't help.
Rescue workers are doing everything they can, and more to help grieving families at this hour. This is just one of the several help desks at the Government Wenlock Hospital in Mangalore. Many have worked non-stop since the crash on Saturday morning.
"When you are an officer meant to help, we have no time to react in any way... we just have to keep doing our duty," said the District Medical Officer (DMO), Janardhan.
DNA samples were collected today, but it will take a week for results.
It is not just policemen from Mangalore, but also from neighbouring districts like Udupi, Kasargod and Kannur in Kerala who have come in like the other officials trying to help the relatives.
A family rushing through barricades at the Wenlock Hospital in Mangalore. A sister who had to be forcefully taken out of the mortuary after she saw her brother charred beyond recognition. This mother's tears have dried up and emotions numb.
A day after the ill fated Air India plane from Dubai to Mangalore crashed near the Bajpe airport, several mothers, brothers, fathers and sisters spent the day in shock, unable to believe that they could not identify their loved ones among the several charred bodies recovered.
"I want to get the DNA test done as soon as possible and claim my son's body. His mother and wife are waiting at home," said Anjappan, father of one of the victims, Riju.
For many, a shoe, a piece of cloth or a watch strap became a clue to conclude that they found their relative. But for many others even after putting pieces of a body together didn't help.
Rescue workers are doing everything they can, and more to help grieving families at this hour. This is just one of the several help desks at the Government Wenlock Hospital in Mangalore. Many have worked non-stop since the crash on Saturday morning.
"When you are an officer meant to help, we have no time to react in any way... we just have to keep doing our duty," said the District Medical Officer (DMO), Janardhan.
DNA samples were collected today, but it will take a week for results.
It is not just policemen from Mangalore, but also from neighbouring districts like Udupi, Kasargod and Kannur in Kerala who have come in like the other officials trying to help the relatives.
