DNA identification begins after tragic Air India crash, 6 bodies handed to families

Authorities have intensified efforts to identify the victims of the devastating Air India Boeing 787 crash that occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Forensic teams are working around the clock at local hospitals and morgues, diligently collecting DNA samples from the remains recovered from the charred wreckage. This crucial DNA identification process is paramount, especially since most bodies were charred beyond recognition, and is seen as a critical step in providing closure to grieving families who have been arriving to provide samples.

The focus of ongoing rescue and recovery operations at the crash site now heavily includes the systematic collection of remains for identification. Relatives of the deceased have begun arriving, offering saliva or blood samples to assist with the matching process. Officials are prioritizing cases where preliminary identifications might be possible through personal belongings or documentation to expedite the DNA matching, recognizing the urgent need of families to bring their loved ones home.

In a first step towards this somber process, police have confirmed that six bodies have so far been successfully identified through various means and subsequently handed over to their respective families. An inspector confirmed that relatives of 215 deceased persons have already approached authorities to provide their DNA samples for profiling. While the search continues at the crash site for more remains and the crucial black boxes—the flight data and cockpit voice recorders—Air India and state officials have pledged full support to the victims’ families, including assistance with transport, accommodation, and counselling services during this traumatic period