In the aftermath of the tragic Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad, authorities have recovered 270 bodies so far, with DNA identification confirming the identity of six victims. The ill-fated London-bound AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing nearly everyone on board and several individuals on the ground. The aircraft plummeted into the campus of BJ Medical College, igniting a massive blaze. While eight victims were visually identified by their families, most bodies were severely charred, requiring forensic DNA profiling for confirmation.
The process of DNA matching is being expedited by state authorities, including the Forensic Science Laboratory and local police. Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi convened a high-level meeting to accelerate the identification and handover of remains. Dr. Rajnish Patel from Ahmedabad Civil Hospital confirmed that six matches have been communicated to the families, and the bodies are being returned accordingly. Police inspector Chirag Gosai stated that the DNA matching process will take up to 72 hours, with relatives of the deceased submitting samples at BJ Medical College for comparison. Authorities are working around the clock to manage the post-mortem procedures and ensure dignified returns.
Meanwhile, Air India has initiated one-time safety checks on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, following directives from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). So far, nine aircraft have been examined, and checks on 24 more are underway. The crash investigation is considering multiple possibilities—engine failure, bird strikes, or flap malfunction—with special focus on data from the recovered Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR). The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) remains untraced. On the ground, NSG commandos and NIA officials have secured the crash site, and student hostels impacted by the crash have been evacuated for inspection. Crane operations are in progress to remove the plane’s tail fin lodged atop a building.
