Bodies of five heat wave victims arrive in Kovai

The deceased, Kaladevi (58), Deivanai (74), Pachaiya (80), all from Coimbatore, Subbaiya (71) and Balakrishnan (67) from Coonoor were part of a 68-member group that was returning after visiting Varanasi and Agra.

They complained of uneasiness and died before reaching the hospital in Jhansi. After autopsy, the bodies of Balakrishnan, Subbaiya and Kaladevi were airlifted and reached Coimbatore around 1.30 am. The bodies of Deivanai and Pachaiya were brought by Trivandrum Express and reached the city around 5 am. Their bodies were all handed over to the relatives.

Kanniammal (82), who lost her daughter-in-law Kaladevi in the tragic incident said, “We went for the trip with a hope to return with good memories, but fate has soaked us in deep sorrow.”

The relatives of deceased persons faulted the Railways for not providing medical facilities on board. “There was no medical team on the train and no water arrangements were available for passengers despite extreme heat. Also the bodies were sent in wooden boxesinstead of freezer box,” they rued.