Air India plane crash: 31 victims identified via DNA; tests underway
Ahmedabad: Authorities at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital have so far confirmed the identities of 31 victims of the devastating Air India plane crash that occurred on 12 June, through DNA profiling, according to State Minister for Home, Harsh Sanghavi.
12 of the bodies have already been handed over to their families, authorities at Civil Hospital reported on Sunday.
Due to the severe condition of the remains, with many bodies charred beyond recognition or critically damaged upon impact, the identification process has been reliant on DNA matching. The "DNA matches of 31 individuals have been completed, and they have been identified. Out of these, 12 bodies have already been sent back to their respective hometowns, including Udaipur, Vadodara, Kheda, Kushinagar, and Ahmedabad," said Dr Rajnish Patel, ADMS at Civil Hospital, while addressing the media.
The DNA verification process continues for the remaining bodies, including that of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose identity has not yet been confirmed through testing.
Handing over of mortal remains underway
At a press conference held earlier, Dr Rajnish Patel, Professor of Surgery at B J Medical College, stated that the remains of one victim were handed over to their family on Saturday, with two more expected to be returned later the same day. He emphasised that families should await communication from the hospital once DNA confirmation is completed and should not rush to the facility.
In addition, authorities confirmed that the bodies of eight victims had already been identified by their relatives visually, and were handed over without the need for DNA testing.
Massive coordination efforts across Gujarat
According to Relief Commissioner and Revenue Secretary Alok Pandey, the deceased hailed from 18 of Gujarat’s 33 districts. To streamline communication and support, the government has established 230 coordination teams to liaise with families of the victims. Efforts are also underway to coordinate with the next of kin of 11 foreign nationals who perished in the incident.
Casualty toll and survivor update
The ill-fated London-bound Air India flight was carrying 242 passengers and crew when it crashed into the hostel complex of B J Medical College in Meghaninagar, shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Authorities confirmed that 241 individuals lost their lives, with one passenger surviving the horrific accident.
Doctors reported that approximately 270 bodies have been brought to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital so far. Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor, is reportedly in stable condition and "absolutely out of danger", Dr Patel confirmed. Most of the injured have been discharged, with only one or two patients remaining under critical care.
Round-the-clock DNA efforts continue
To expedite the identification process, Minister Sanghavi convened a high-level meeting on Saturday with officials from the State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). He stated that forensic specialists from across Gujarat, along with experts deployed by the central government, are working tirelessly to complete the DNA profiling.
"As soon as the results come in, they are sent to the civil hospital so that the families may claim the bodies," he told reporters. Police Inspector Chirag Gosai, overseeing the post-mortem coordination, noted that nearly 220 families had submitted DNA samples for testing as of Friday. The samples are processed through BJ Medical College, he added.
(PTI inputs)