Hospital Morgue Overwhelmed: 260+ Bodies Strain Civil Hospital’s 36-Capacity Cold Storage
Ahmedabad: Following the devastating Air India plane crash, Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad faces an unprecedented crisis as charred remains of victims create logistical challenges. After conducting post-mortems and collecting DNA samples, bodies are typically stored in cold storage facilities. However, questions have emerged about inadequate cold storage arrangements at government hospitals, including Civil Hospital. Currently, Asarwa Civil Hospital’s cold storage has a capacity of 36 bodies, yet it houses approximately 266 remains.
Asarwa Civil Hospital has not released any official information following the plane crash incident. According to unofficial reports, Asarwa Civil’s cold storage facility can accommodate 36 bodies. Bodies that have undergone DNA testing and post-mortem examinations are placed in cold storage. Reports indicate that approximately 60% of the victims’ remains were so severely burned that they could fit into bags, while only limbs were recovered for some victims. These remains are currently being stored in bags within the cold storage facility.
The bodies must remain in cold storage until they are identified and claimed by relatives. As of Friday evening, 266 bodies are housed at Civil Hospital. These remains are currently being accommodated in Civil Hospital’s cold storage facility through various arrangements. However, the health department is considering transferring some bodies to cold storage facilities at other locations.
The situation reveals that other government hospitals also face similar cold storage capacity constraints. Sola Civil Hospital has a capacity of 18 bodies, while VS Hospital can accommodate 12. Thus, Ahmedabad, with a population of 8 million, has government hospital cold storage capacity for only 66 bodies in total. One official explained, “Cold storage facilities are only installed where post-mortem rooms exist. This is why SVP Hospital lacks cold storage despite having modern facilities. One private hospital in Shahibag has cold storage arrangements.”
Sola Civil’s Cold Storage Capacity Had Been Increased
Last year, Sola Civil Hospital’s cold storage capacity was increased from 12 to 18. Throughout 2023, Sola Civil Hospital’s 12 cold storage units housed 248 bodies. In comparison, 2024 required cold storage for 385 bodies.
Overwhelming Odor Outside Post-Mortem Room
Ahmedabad, Friday: Most bodies at Civil Hospital underwent post-mortem examinations by late Friday evening. Currently, a severe odor emanates from the post-mortem room area, reaching up to 80 meters from the gate of the post-mortem facility within Civil Hospital premises.