Nagpur Hospital Mortuary Sees 24-Hour Agony for Blast Victims' Families
High drama unfolded outside the mortuary of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Nagpur on Monday as desperate relatives of victims from the SBL Energy Pvt Ltd explosion waited for over 24 hours without food or water to receive the mortal remains of their loved ones.
Hospital Administration Steps In After Prolonged Neglect
The GMCH administration eventually intervened to provide food and drinking water to nearly 50 to 60 relatives, many of whom had been sitting outside the mortuary since Sunday morning in a state of shock, exhaustion, and mounting anger. Medical Superintendent Dr. Avinash Gawande facilitated food arrangements, with the GMC kitchen serving meals to relatives waiting outside the mortuary on Monday evening.
Relatives revealed they rushed to Nagpur immediately after hearing about the devastating blast, leaving home without any preparation, believing the bodies would be handed over quickly. "We stayed here the whole night thinking the bodies would come any moment. No one told us it would take so long," said a relative of a victim from Katol tehsil.
DNA Analysis Causes Unanticipated Delays
The condition of bodies—severely burnt, mutilated, and unidentifiable—necessitated DNA analysis, a process expected to take at least one day. The delay, relatives emphasized, was never properly explained to them. With no information about shelter and drinking water facilities on the hospital premises, families were forced to spend the night in the open, sleeping on the ground and in corners near the mortuary.
The waiting group included women, elderly people, and even a 10-year-old son of one of the deceased workers. Families traveled from Hinganghat, Pandhurna, Kondhali, Warud, and nearby villages, enduring hunger, thirst, and emotional trauma throughout the ordeal.
Company Absence and Compensation Disputes Escalate Tensions
Relatives alleged that no representative from SBL Energy Pvt Ltd visited the mortuary or made arrangements for food, water, or basic assistance during the long wait. Though police personnel advised some families to return home and come back on Monday, many refused, fearing they might miss crucial updates or the handover of bodies.
Tensions escalated when a local union leader arrived and attempted to persuade families not to insist on receiving compensation cheques along with the mortal remains. This triggered heated arguments, with relatives adamant that they would not leave without written assurance of compensation.
Late-Night Handover with Exceptions
Except for Payal Gajbhiye and Mangeshree Yeskar, mortal remains of all other blast victims were handed over to the families by 10:30 PM. GMCH officials stated that Yeskar's relatives were not available when called out, while Gajbhiye's relatives indicated they would prefer to take custody of the remains in the morning as it was too late for holding the last rites.
The entire episode highlighted significant gaps in crisis communication and victim support systems, leaving families to navigate bureaucratic procedures while grieving their devastating losses.
