The team of DNA experts from Hyderabad, who arrived in Mangalore on Sunday morning to help in identifying the bodies of the Air India plane crash, has its task cut out. The team will stay in the coastal town till each victim's body is identified. Most of the bodies have been charred beyond recognition in the plane crash.
A dispute has broken out between the families of Rajendra Ramesh and John Mampilly, both of whom have staked claim for the same body. Ramesh is a resident of Mangalore while John hails from Kasargod in Kerala. The authorities at the Wenlock Hospital had a tough time on Sunday in handling the two grief-stricken families.
The DNA experts from Hyderabad have collected samples from the body, but the results will take a couple of days to arrive.
According to a member of the team, it will take at least seven more days to identify the 12 unclaimed bodies of victims. The Wenlock Hospital authorities have urged the relatives of the deceased to remain calm and assured them that they are doing their best.
Air India has announced that it will fly special flights between Dubai and Mangalore and has urged the Centre to issue interim visas to relatives of the deceased who stay abroad.
