Odisha Chief Secy Responds to Questions on Death Figures in Balasore Crash, Here’s What He Said

Odisha Chief Secretary PK Jena on Sunday said that his government has no intention of hiding the deaths in the Balasore train accident and the entire rescue operation is being conducted in full public view.

Responding to allegations of fudging the death toll, he said Odisha believes in transparency.

“Media personnel have been heavily present at the accident site since the beginning. Everything is being done in the presence of cameras.

“The death toll given by the Railways was 288. We had also said the same, and this figure was based on the information received from the Railways. But, our Balasore District Collector has confirmed the death toll and it was 275 till 10 am on Sunday.”

Asked about the change in the toll, Jena said it was due to double counting of some bodies. The Chief Secretary said that there is no restriction on the entry of media persons at the accident site.

“The rescue and even restoration activities continued in full public view,” he added.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the death toll, saying 61 people from her state were killed and 182 were still missing. “If 182 are missing from one state and 61 have been confirmed dead, where do the figures stand?” he asked while addressing a press conference.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav refused to answer any questions from reporters regarding Banerjee’s allegation. The Chief Secretary said that out of 275 bodies, only 108 could be identified.

He said the state wanted all the bodies to be identified so that they could be cremated by their families.

“Considering the prevailing hot weather, the bodies are decomposing fast. Therefore, states can wait for a maximum of two more days before disposing of them as per law.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI,