In a bizarre faux pas, two bodies were exchanged after one of the kin of the deceased failed to identify the body.

Fr Muller Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr L L Joshua said two bodies were brought to the hospital two days ago to be kept in mortuary as the kin of the deceased had to arrive from abroad.

They were Carmin Noronha (from Karkala) and Carmin Veigas (from Mangalore), both aged around 75 years. On Monday, the children of Carmin Noronha arrived at the hospital and claimed the body.

The body was handed over to them after they identified. However,  after reaching home one of the relatives suspected that the body was not that of Carmin Veigas and contacted the hospital only to learn that it was that of Carmin Noronha. Hence, they exchanged the body.

The body of Carmin Veigas is still in the hospital and it is expected to be taken on Wednesday, Dr Joshua said. The colour of the saree worn on the bodies (both green), similarity of face and the mental agony of the relatives is said to have led to the faux pas.