Wednesday, July 12 2006 12:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Identifying the bodies of those who died in Tuesday's (July 12, 2006) terror blasts is the biggest problem facing the city's civic body rather than providing relief to the injured, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) chief said Wednesday.

"We have already done our best to provide relief and treatment to those injured. Ninety-eight percent of those who were brought to us have been given adequate facilities," BMC commissioner Johny Joseph said.

"But the biggest problem that we will be facing today (Wednesday) is identifying the bodies and handing them over to relatives," Joseph told sources.

A series of seven blasts ripped through the city's local Western Railway network Tuesday evening, killing 183 and injuring 663 people. The bombs ripped apart trains, searing through flesh and paralysing one of India's most vibrant cities.

The powerful explosive devices, which are suspected to have been hidden in luggage racks above commuters' heads, destroyed coaches, spewing charred and twisted metal and blood spattered debris and luggage across the rails.

The injured were taken to several of the city's government and private hospitals including the Sion Hospital, K.E.M. Hospital, Lilavati and Nanavati Hospitals.

Many of the bodies were brought in parts bundled together in bed sheets and polythene bags.

"Doctors and paramedics, who have been dedicatedly going about their duties, are struggling with the identification process as many of the bodies are severely dismembered or charred beyond recognition," Joseph said.

"I cannot say at this point of time how many bodies have been identified as the process in still going on and I don't know how long it will take," he said.

Blood and medicine requirements have been met adequately but the need for more beds was the most immediate need, Joseph said adding however that many of those injured were discharged after providing them first aid.

"The Sion hospital in central Mumbai was the worst affected from where 15 dead bodies were shifted to the Rajawadi Hospital and 10 to Nair Hospital after I requested," Joseph added. "NGOs and private hospitals were more than willing to take in more patients," he noted.