Heart-Wrenching Scenes at Osmania General Hospital Mortuary After Devastating Fire
Grim and sorrowful scenes unfolded at the Osmania General Hospital (OGH) mortuary in Hyderabad on Sunday as devastated families gathered to receive the mortal remains of their loved ones who perished in the tragic Nampally furniture showroom fire. The atmosphere was heavy with grief as inconsolable relatives struggled to come to terms with their sudden and immense loss.
Victims Identified: Local Residents and Siblings Among the Deceased
Among those who lost their lives in the horrific incident were Mohammed Imtiyaz and Syed Habeeb, both natives of Hyderabad. The tragedy also claimed the lives of siblings Praneeth and Akhil, who hailed from Nalgonda district. Additionally, Bebi, the watchwoman at the showroom who also died in the blaze, was originally from Kalaburagi in Karnataka.
Families Lose Not Just Loved Ones But Their Entire Homes
The families of Bebi, along with Praneeth and Akhil, who were living in the showroom's cellar, faced a double tragedy. They not only lost their beloved family members but also saw their entire homes, personal belongings, and valuable possessions consumed by Saturday's inferno. For these families, the fire represented a complete wipeout of their worldly possessions alongside the irreplaceable loss of human life.
A grief-stricken Sameer Khan, Bebi's son, expressed the family's devastation, stating they had lost everything in the fire. "There was a television, fridge, and other household items, all of which have been destroyed. The total damage may be around 6 lakh. But, I lost my mother, which is the biggest loss for me," he said emotionally. Sameer has an elder brother, Lal Khan, and both siblings worked at the ill-fated Batcha Furniture showroom where the tragedy occurred.
Parents Arranging Final Journey for Their Sons
Just a few metres away from where Bebi's family mourned, the parents of Praneeth and Akhil were seen in a state of utter devastation, making arrangements to transport the mortal remains of their sons back to Nalgonda for the final rites. Their mother Lakshmi works as a domestic help in the Hyderabad area, while their father Thokala Yadaiah was employed as a salesman at Batcha Furniture.
A relative of the family shared, "They too lost valuables worth lakhs, including furniture, a television, and other household items. But the loss of both their sons is irreparable." The emotional and material devastation faced by these families highlights the comprehensive nature of the tragedy that has befallen them.
Telangana Government Announces Compensation Package
In response to the tragic incident, the Telangana government has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh for the families of each deceased victim. Revenue Minister P Srinivas Reddy has directed Hyderabad District Collector Harichandana Dasari to ensure that the compensation amount is disbursed to the affected families immediately, providing some financial relief during this difficult period.
The government's swift action in announcing compensation reflects the severity of the tragedy and the need to support the bereaved families as they navigate this unimaginable loss. The directive for immediate disbursement emphasizes the urgency of providing assistance to those whose lives have been upended by the fire.
