Barge Tragedy: Mumbai Police to carry out DNA testing on unidentified bodies

Indian Navy seen conducting the rescue operation

Search and rescue operations are still on in the Arabian Sea for people aboard Barge P-305, which sank during Cyclone Tauktae.

A total of 61 bodies were recovered till Saturday afternoon, and handed over to the Mumbai Police. Of these, 43 bodies have been identified.

The Indian Navy has deployed a specialised diving team to trace the missing crew, which includes 9 personnel from Barge P-305 and 11 from Tugboat Varaprada.

"To augment the ongoing search and rescue (SAR) operations for the missing crew of Barge P-305 and Tug Varaprada, specialised diving teams onboard INS Makar with side scan sonar and INS Tarasa sailed out early morning today from Mumbai," an Indian Navy spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police will be taking the DNA of the 18 unidentified bodies, and has demanded 40 sampling kits for this. Most of the bodies were found in a decomposed state, making it difficult to identify them.

Also Read: Maharashtra: 8 bodies found on Raigad coast; suspected to be of barge victims

DCP S Chaitnya, Mumbai Police spokesperson, confirmed the development.

"With the help of the forensic lab, DNA of these dead bodies will be taken through a sampling kit. After this, the DNA samples will be matched with that of families with missing members."

ONGC released an official statement on Saturday, declaring that it will be extending logistical help to families of the affected crew members. It has also set up a help desk.

At the time of going to press, five more bodies were found off the coast of Alibaug in Raigad district, and another body was found in Valsad. Superintendent of Police (SP) Raigad, Ashok Dudhe confirmed the development.