Nearly a week after the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, authorities have made significant headway in identifying the victims. As of Wednesday morning, 184 DNA samples of the deceased have been matched, providing some solace to grieving families awaiting the return of their loved ones’ remains. The process, conducted by teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), continues as the state works to bring closure to the tragedy that claimed 241 lives.
Ongoing Efforts to Match Victims’ DNA
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi shared the latest figures on social media platform X, confirming that 184 DNA identifications have been completed. Just a day earlier, officials had reported 163 confirmed matches, signaling rapid progress in a challenging process. The Air India Dreamliner, en route to London, crashed into a hostel complex near BJ Medical College shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12.
Rakesh Joshi, Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, detailed the current status during a press briefing. He said that out of the 163 victims identified by Tuesday, the remains of 124 had already been handed over to their families. Among the remaining 39, the remains of 21 were scheduled to be handed over by Wednesday morning. Two sets of remains were in the process of being transferred, while legal issues were delaying the handover of four more. Twelve families were still awaiting results.
Injured Survivors and Ongoing Medical Care
On the day of the crash, 71 injured individuals were admitted to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Of those, 42 have since been discharged. Currently, nine patients remain hospitalized, while two others died after being admitted. The hospital continues to monitor the condition of those still receiving care.
The June 12 crash is one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history. The aircraft was carrying 242 people, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was among the 241 confirmed fatalities. With forensic identification ongoing, authorities are focusing on providing answers and dignity to the victims and their families in the aftermath of the catastrophic event.
