Kolkata Godown Fire Death Toll Rises to 27 as Forensic Teams Conduct DNA Mapping
The devastating fire at the Anandapur godown in Kolkata has claimed more lives, with the recovery of charred body parts of two additional persons on Friday evening. This grim discovery has pushed the official death toll to 27, marking a tragic escalation from the previous count of 25 reported on Thursday.
Forensic Investigation Intensifies with DNA Technology
In a critical effort to identify the victims, the state forensic pathology lab has initiated DNA mapping on the charred remains collected from the Nazirabad godown fire site. This sophisticated forensic technique involves comparing blood and saliva samples provided by the victims' kin with teeth and bone marrow extracted from the recovered body parts. Notably, this marks only the second instance in Kolkata's history where DNA mapping is being employed for fire victim identification, following its use after the 2010 Stephen Court fire tragedy.
Police officials have expressed concerns that the death toll may rise further, as they have received nearly 30 missing person complaints linked to the incident. The forensic team resumed sample collection on Friday, even as the Kolkata Municipal Corporation demolition squad continued clearing the debris from the site. An investigator emphasized the importance of this process, stating, "More samples are needed for the forensic test that will give us an idea about the reason behind the fire."
Families Endure Agonizing Wait for Closure
The delay in identifying and handing over the victims' body parts has sparked frustration and anguish among grieving families. Mousumi Haldar, who lost her husband in the fire, voiced her distress, saying, "My father-in-law gave his blood sample about two days ago but till now, my husband's body parts have not been identified. We don't know for how long we will have to wait for performing his last rites." This sentiment echoes the pain of many others awaiting closure.
Sources reveal that initial recovery operations may have complicated the identification process. "The body parts found in one spot were packed together at the onset of the recovery operation. Mapping these body parts with the families of the victims will take time," explained an official. Among the 27 deceased, only one body was recovered intact, albeit with 90% burns, underscoring the severity of the blaze.
Security Measures and Ongoing Challenges
Authorities have maintained strict security protocols around the fire-ravaged site. The restriction under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which limits gatherings to no more than five persons within a 100-meter radius of the godowns, remained enforced on Friday. This measure aims to facilitate investigation and prevent further incidents.
As the forensic investigation progresses, the focus remains on providing answers to the bereaved families and determining the cause of the fire. The use of advanced DNA mapping highlights the gravity of the situation and the commitment to ensuring accurate identification, even as the community mourns this profound loss.
