"A Mask, A Prayer": Lucknow Crematorium Workers Face Rush Of Covid Bodies

Two of the crematorium employees, in PPE suits, carry the dead to the incinerator. The other two bleach the first duo.

Lucknow's electric crematorium has been witnessing an unusual rush of ambulances these past many days as Covid-19-related casualties pile-up. Yesterday, the Uttar Pradesh capital reported 1,333 fresh cases and six deaths -- 41 persons have died in the past week of the infection. Munna (identified only by his first name) is the city municipal corporation employee, along with three others, handling cremations, and his hands are evidently full. Yesterday alone, they put in a 19-hour shift together, cremating 23 bodies. Two of them, in PPE suits, carry the departed from the ambulances to the incinerator; the other two, including Munna, bleach the first duo. As NDTV met Munna, his colleagues had just stepped away for a break. "I'm wearing a mask and praying. Those are the only two things in my control," Munna said.