THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At the medical college hospital mortuary a group of youths from Mudapuram near Chirayankeezhu spotted the body of their friend Vishnu Deth who happened to be inside the ill-fated pyrotechnic shed (Kamba pura) at the time of the tragedy.
But they could not muster the courage to inform his father Biju who was searching for his son among the injured in the wards. Vishnu's brother Vyshak is also admitted with severe burns on the back. “Seven of our friends including Vishnu and his brother were at the spot when the incident took place as they had arrived early. Since we decided to go there a little later, we had a narrow escape,” recollected Mr Aju.
At the mortuary, 20-year-old Hari Kumar was unmindful of the blood oozing out of his bandaged head as he frantically searched for his missing cousin Chummar among the bodies.
Hari Kumar was seen pulling his hair with both hands, unable to bear the horrendous sight of mutilated bodies. He lifted a specific bed sheet again and again to confirm that it’s not his cousin.
“My brother’s mobile phone has been switched off since the mishap and he was said to be there. I was hit by some flying concrete object on the head, but couldn’t notice it as I was more shocked at the sight of people being thrown away by impact of blast and buildings collapse,” said Mr Kumar as he continued his search.
Hari’s friend Jeevan Kumar who came along with him to the hospital, was unable to control his emotions. Another group of relatives were awaiting at the mortuary to receive the body of Saju R, 24 son of Raju of Kaattil Veedu, Keezhattingal. While some of his acquaintances were watching fireworks from far off, he had gone to fetch water when he came under a crashing concrete slab.
