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Photos: Mounting Covid-19 cases strain Delhi crematoria

The nigambodh Ghat crematory in New Delhi has received the bodies of at least 244 Covid-19 or suspected Covid-19 patients till date. On May 26, eight bodies were returned to hospitals because the facility was in no position to accept more bodies for disposal with a snag in its furnaces. An exponential growth in the number of bodies reaching Delhi crematoria has them buckling under pressure.

Updated on: May 28, 2020 4:56 PM IST

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Health workers in PPE coveralls during the funeral rites of a person who died of Covid-19, at Nigambodh Ghat crematorium in New Delhi. On May 26, eight bodies were returned from the Nigambodh Ghat CNG crematorium because the facility was in no position to accept more bodies for disposal. Only two of the six furnaces were working at the crematorium. (Sonu Mehta / HT Photo)

Updated on May 28, 2020 4:56 PM

Health workers in PPE coveralls during the funeral rites of a person who died of Covid-19, at Nigambodh Ghat crematorium in New Delhi. On May 26, eight bodies were returned from the Nigambodh Ghat CNG crematorium because the facility was in no position to accept more bodies for disposal. Only two of the six furnaces were working at the crematorium. (Sonu Mehta / HT Photo)

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A North Delhi Municipal Corporation worker sanitizes the premises at the Nigambodh Ghat crematorium. Delhi reported 792 coronavirus infections on May 27, taking the city’s tally to 15,257 since the first Covid-19 case was reported on March 2; 15 more deaths took the toll to 303. (Ajay Aggarwal / HT Photo)

Updated on May 28, 2020 4:56 PM

A North Delhi Municipal Corporation worker sanitizes the premises at the Nigambodh Ghat crematorium. Delhi reported 792 coronavirus infections on May 27, taking the city’s tally to 15,257 since the first Covid-19 case was reported on March 2; 15 more deaths took the toll to 303. (Ajay Aggarwal / HT Photo)

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At the Nigambodh Ghat electric crematorium, three of the six CNG furnaces were working until Monday; one of them developed a snag the same night. “We could not take the load and hence returned the bodies. On Tuesday, even after working extra hours, we only accepted 15 bodies,” an official at the crematorium told HT. (Sonu Mehta / HT Photo)

Updated on May 28, 2020 4:56 PM

At the Nigambodh Ghat electric crematorium, three of the six CNG furnaces were working until Monday; one of them developed a snag the same night. “We could not take the load and hence returned the bodies. On Tuesday, even after working extra hours, we only accepted 15 bodies,” an official at the crematorium told HT. (Sonu Mehta / HT Photo)

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The crematorium has received the bodies of at least 244 Covid-19 or suspected Covid-19 patients till date. With a large number of bodies being sent to Nigambodh Ghat for last rites, Delhi government has also posted six health officials to ensure that people follow norms such as physical distancing and other guidelines during cremations. (Danish Siddiqui / REUTERS)

Updated on May 28, 2020 4:56 PM

The crematorium has received the bodies of at least 244 Covid-19 or suspected Covid-19 patients till date. With a large number of bodies being sent to Nigambodh Ghat for last rites, Delhi government has also posted six health officials to ensure that people follow norms such as physical distancing and other guidelines during cremations. (Danish Siddiqui / REUTERS)

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A municipal worker cremates the body a man who died due to the coronavirus, at a crematorium. “Before the pandemic, the crematorium operated between 9am and 4pm. Now it opens at 7am and shuts operation at 10pm. Even this is not helping. The workers need at least two hours to dispose a body. Collecting the ashes takes time. We are also helpless,” an official at the crematorium told HT. (Danish Siddiqui / REUTERS)

Updated on May 28, 2020 4:56 PM

A municipal worker cremates the body a man who died due to the coronavirus, at a crematorium. “Before the pandemic, the crematorium operated between 9am and 4pm. Now it opens at 7am and shuts operation at 10pm. Even this is not helping. The workers need at least two hours to dispose a body. Collecting the ashes takes time. We are also helpless,” an official at the crematorium told HT. (Danish Siddiqui / REUTERS)

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The bodies of Covid-19 patients and suspected Covid-19 patients are also being taken to the electric crematorium at Punjabi Bagh, which has two furnaces. Besides these, four burial grounds for Muslim and Christians have been approved in the Income Tax Office area, Mangolpuri, Madanpur Khadar and Shastri Park. (Ajay Aggarwal / HT Photo)

Updated on May 28, 2020 4:56 PM

The bodies of Covid-19 patients and suspected Covid-19 patients are also being taken to the electric crematorium at Punjabi Bagh, which has two furnaces. Besides these, four burial grounds for Muslim and Christians have been approved in the Income Tax Office area, Mangolpuri, Madanpur Khadar and Shastri Park. (Ajay Aggarwal / HT Photo)

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Health workers in PPE coveralls during the funeral rites of a person who died of Covid-19 at Nigambodh Ghat crematorium. “The bodies come wrapped in PPE suits. No one is allowed to open the suit. A worker at the furnace and one from the hospital put it in the furnace without removing the suit. We follow this process for all positive as well as suspected cases,” Vishal, a worker at the Nigambodh Ghat told HT. (Sonu Mehta / HT Photo)

Updated on May 28, 2020 4:56 PM

Health workers in PPE coveralls during the funeral rites of a person who died of Covid-19 at Nigambodh Ghat crematorium. “The bodies come wrapped in PPE suits. No one is allowed to open the suit. A worker at the furnace and one from the hospital put it in the furnace without removing the suit. We follow this process for all positive as well as suspected cases,” Vishal, a worker at the Nigambodh Ghat told HT. (Sonu Mehta / HT Photo)

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