"Not Human Remains": Official On Foul Smell From Odisha Train Coach

Amid apprehension that some bodies were still left in a coach of the Yeshwantpur-Howrah Express that was involved in the June 2 triple train accident in Odisha, an official on Friday clarified that it was rotten eggs and not human remains.

People living near Bahanaga Bazar railway station where the crash occurred claiming 288 lives have complained that a foul smell was coming from a coach left there and some bodies might have still been there.

Following the complaint, the railways with the help of the state government conducted a search.

"It was found that rotten eggs, and not human bodies, are emitting a foul smell in the station. We had got site clearance from NDRF twice," South Eastern Railway CPRO Aditya Kumar Chaudhary told reporters.

Around three tons of eggs were being transported in Yeshwantpur-Howrah Express in the parcel van, he said.

"All the eggs were rotting and a foul smell was coming. We have removed the eggs in three tractors from the accident site," Mr Chaudhary said.

Meanwhile, the CPRO said that the railway ministry has so far disbursed compensation of Rs 22.66 crore to the families of 661 victims in connection with the train tragedy.

The next of kin of the deceased and those severely injured in the accident have received the compensation.

Mr Chaudhary said the railways give Rs 10 lakh each to the families who lost their near and dear ones in the tragedy. Around 1200 people had suffered injuries in the accident.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)