"Grim Scenes, People Lining Up With Bodies": Goa Crematoriums Witness Rush As Cases Rise

Officials at Goa crematoriums say that work load has increased manyfolds, but they have no other option.

Even as hospitals in Goa see a surge in COVID-19 cases, the scenes at crematoriums in the coastal state are equally grim, as bodies continue to line up for last rites. One of the oldest crematoriums in Goa located in Margao city had to construct four additional platforms and dedicate three of its existing ones to cater to people who died of COVID-19. The century-old crematorium, managed by Mathagramasth Hindu Sabha, opened its doors to COVID-19 casualties after it was found that they were not being entertained by other facilities. "We opened our doors to cremate people who died due to  COVID-19, as we realised that they were not being taken in by others. This was in June last year when the first death was reported," the president of the facility, Bhai Naik told PTI.