Kurnool bus tragedy: APFSL begins DNA matching of 18 bodies

Forensic experts of the Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory (APFSL) on Saturday (October 25), began matching the DNA samples of the passengers, who died in the private bus fire acccident at Kurnool.

Nineteen passengers were charred to death in Bengaluru-bound travels bus, near Chinna Tekur village, on outskirts of Kurnool in the early hours when the bus caught fire after hitting a two-wheeler on the National Highway, on Friday.

Sixteen teams, headed by APFSL Director G. Pala Raju, rushed to the spot and collected samples and preserved them. Two Joint Directors, four Assistant Directors and Scientific Assistant Directors were pressed into service to match the DNA samples.

“As the bodies were charred to death beyond recognition in the flames, the bodies were preserved in the mortuary. They would be handed over to the bereaved families after DNA analysis,” said an investigation officer.

Speaking to The Hindu on Saturday, Mr. Pala Raju said soft tissues of 18 victims, and blood samples of their family members were collected.

“Some bodies were almost reduced to ashes in flames. So, the forensic experts collected bones of all the 19 victims,” the Director said.

“DNA extraction has been started at the APFSL at Amaravati. DNA sample of one unidentified body has been preserved in the FSL. If anybody claims the body, we will hand it over it after matching with their blood sample,” the APFSL Director said.

“We will complete the process of DNA samples matching with the blood samples in 48 hours. Police will handover the bodies to their family members once the process at the FSL is completed,” Mr. Pala Raju said.