DNA tests confirm identity of 99 Ahmedabad crash victims, 64 bodies handed over to families

Four days after the devastating crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad that claimed 270 lives, officials confirmed that 99 victims have been identified through DNA tests. So far, 64 bodies—including that of former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani—have been handed over to their families.

The civil superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Dr Rakesh Joshi, stated that identification is being delayed due to the condition of many bodies, which were either charred or damaged beyond recognition. DNA testing is ongoing, with authorities urging families not to panic due to the time-consuming nature of the process.

“We are trying our best to finish this process as soon as possible. Some are worried because it’s been over 72 hours. But this is a critical legal and medical procedure,” Dr Joshi said. Samples from around 250 victims—both from the plane and those killed on the ground—have been collected.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had crashed into a medical college hostel complex shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s airport on June 12. Of the 242 people on board, 241 died. In addition, 29 others lost their lives on the ground, including five MBBS students. One passenger miraculously survived.