Air India Crash: 31 Victims Identified via DNA, 12 Bodies Handed Over to Families

Authorities have so far identified 31 victims of the Air India AI-171 plane crash in Ahmedabad through DNA testing, with 12 families having claimed the mortal remains, an official said on Sunday.

The process of DNA matching is still underway for former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who also perished in the tragic crash, said Dr. Rajnish Patel, Additional Civil Superintendent and Professor of Surgery at B.J. Medical College.

“The identified victims include individuals from various parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, including Udaipur, Vadodara, Kheda, Mehsana, Ahmedabad, and Botad districts,” Patel told reporters.

Due to the severe burn injuries and extensive damage to many bodies, authorities are relying on DNA testing to confirm identities before handing over remains to grieving families.

Scale of the Tragedy

The crash occurred on June 12, when the London-bound Boeing 787-8 (AI-171) crashed just moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, slamming into the BJ Medical College campus in Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar area and erupting in flames.

Of the 242 people on board, 241 were killed, with one survivor miraculously pulled from the wreckage. An additional 29 people on the ground, including five MBBS students, also lost their lives, bringing the total death toll to 270.

Coordinated Response

Officials said 230 teams were formed to coordinate with the families of the victims, ensuring support and facilitating identification and repatriation of remains.

DNA matching continues at a steady pace, and authorities have assured that all necessary steps are being taken to support the bereaved families during the identification and handover process.