Kannauj accident: Cops collect DNA samples of missing passengers' kin

KANPUR: To ascertain the exact toll and identity of people who were charred to death after a bus and a truck caught fire following a collision in Kannauj on Friday, police have started collecting DNA samples of the relatives of people who boarded the ill-fated bus.
Additional superintendent of police Vinod Kumar said, "So far, we have collected nine samples of persons related to the deceased.The samples will be sent to forensic lab in Lucknow for DNA profiling." Police had collected 10 samples from charred bodies, including that of the truck driver, for DNA profiling on Saturday.
A senior police official said the blaze was so intense that even the bones of victims melted and got stuck with steel fixtures of the bus.
Preliminary findings revealed that 9-10 people were trapped inside the bus.
Nazim (40), an embroidery worker, whose wife Noori (35) and four-year-old daughter Samiya were killed in the blaze, reached Kannauj from Jaipur to give his DNA sample. "I went to the SDM's office on Sunday with my brother-in-law Zubair. Officials asked me to submit an application and asked about the persons I am looking for. I have no idea if any remains of my wife and daughter were found. Officials told me that DNA sample is the one way to find out if they were in the bus or not," he told TOI.
A forensic science expert said burnt items like utensils, plastic suitcases, containers, leather bags, grocery items loaded in the truck would help in ascertaining if a chemical triggered the blaze.