Grim discovery under S5 coach: Severed human hand found on Dhanbad Express at Alappuzha railway station

ALAPPUZHA: The Alappuzha Railway Police and the Railway Protection Force have initiated a high-level investigation following the grim discovery of a severed human hand at the Alappuzha railway station on Saturday morning. The remains, consisting of an entire limb from the shoulder to the palm, were located beneath the S5 coach of the Dhanbad Express as the train prepared for its scheduled departure.

The Dhanbad Express had completed its journey from Jharkhand on Friday night and was stationed at Alappuzha before its morning transit. The discovery was made by railway personnel during a routine inspection just as the locomotive was beginning to move. Operations were briefly interrupted as the S5 coach was immediately seized for evidence collection and forensic analysis. Following the completion of initial on-site procedures, the train service was allowed to resume.

Initial assessments by investigating officers suggest that the remains may belong to an individual who was struck by the train at some point along its extensive cross-country route. Forensic experts have conducted a thorough examination of the site and the coach to determine the possible time and location of the impact. The Railway Protection Force has officially registered a case and is currently coordinating with various stations along the Dhanbad-Alappuzha line to verify any reports of missing persons or unidentified fatalities involving railway accidents. The investigation is ongoing as officials wait for the detailed forensic report to provide further clarity on the identity of the victim.