Sonali Tiwary
Four days after the devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad, officials have identified over 70 victims through DNA testing, with 47 bodies handed over to grieving families. The process remains slow due to the severely charred condition of many remains.
“They said it would take 48 hours. But it’s been four days and we haven’t received any response,” said Rinal Christian, whose elder brother was on the London-bound flight that crashed on June 12, killing 279 people including 241 on board and 38 on ground.
The Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad has established a streamlined system for handling victims’ remains, from DNA verification to respectful handover to families. Over 855 health personnel have been deployed to assist in the process.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s remains were identified through DNA matching, with his funeral scheduled for Monday in Rajkot with full state honors. The Gujarat government has declared Monday a day of mourning.
UK High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, visited the UK Consular Reception Centre in Ahmedabad to support British nationals affected. An expert team of UK air accident investigators has arrived to assist the Indian-led investigation.
To ease burdens on families, authorities are issuing death certificates directly at the hospital. Help desks for insurance claims have been established, with New India Assurance and HDFC Life serving as lead insurers. Companies have simplified claim procedures, requiring minimal documentation.
Both crucial “black boxes” – the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder – have been recovered from the crash site. A high-level government committee will meet Monday to formulate standard operating procedures to prevent similar tragedies, with a report expected within three months.
The aviation industry has responded strongly. Airbus executive Christian Scherer called the incident “totally unacceptable,” while Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg canceled his Paris Air Show appearance to focus on the crash response.
The sole survivor, British citizen Vishwashkumar Ramesh, remains under treatment. His survival has been described by former AAI general manager Gurmukh Singh Bawa as “nothing short of miraculous.”
