DNA tests confirm identities of 11 victims in Air India plane crash

Authorities in Ahmedabad have now identified eleven victims of the June 12 Air India plane crash using DNA tests. The process to hand over the bodies to their families has already begun. Doctors and officials at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and B J Medical College are leading the work, supported by state and central forensic teams.

So far, around 270 bodies have been brought from the crash site to the hospital. Most of the victims were burned badly or suffered major injuries, making it very difficult to identify them visually. As a result, DNA matching is being used to confirm their identities.

Dr Rajnish Patel, a senior doctor and professor of surgery at B J Medical College, informed the media that the remains of one more victim were handed over on Saturday. Two additional handovers were planned for the same day. According to Dr Patel, eight other victims had already been identified by their relatives earlier and did not require DNA testing. Their bodies were given to their families directly.

The crash was one of the worst in recent Indian aviation history. The London-bound Air India flight, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. It hit the B J Medical College hostel complex in the Meghaninagar area. Only one person survived — a passenger named Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, who is now out of danger and recovering steadily in the hospital.

The hospital also stated that most of the injured people who were brought in earlier have now been discharged. Only one or two remain in critical condition under observation.

Government mobilizes teams

Alok Pandey, Gujarat's Relief Commissioner and Revenue Secretary, said that the deceased came from 18 different districts of the state. He added that 230 special teams have been created to coordinate with the families of the victims. These teams are also contacting the families of the 11 foreign nationals who died in the crash.

The bodies of many passengers were so badly damaged that even experienced doctors could not identify them visually. Therefore, forensic experts from the Gujarat State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), as well as experts from central government agencies, have joined forces. They are working 24/7 to match DNA samples of the deceased with those of their family members.

To speed up the process, Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, met with FSL officials on Saturday. He assured that as soon as a DNA match is confirmed, the results are shared immediately with the civil hospital so that families can come and claim the bodies.

Police inspector Chirag Gosai, who is managing the post-mortem room at the hospital, said that as of Friday, around 220 relatives had come forward to give their DNA samples. These samples are being processed as quickly as possible to bring closure to grieving families.

The tragic accident happened in the early afternoon of June 12. The Air India flight was on its way to London and had just taken off when it suddenly crashed into the hostel building of B J Medical College. The location is just a few kilometers from the airport.

Eyewitnesses described the crash as terrifying. Loud explosions were heard, and a massive fire broke out. Emergency responders including police, firefighters, and ambulances reached the site quickly. However, due to the intense flames and the damage caused, rescue operations were extremely challenging.

In the immediate aftermath, local residents, hospital staff, and volunteers all came together to help. They carried the injured to safety, gave water and first aid, and supported the emergency teams. The fire was eventually brought under control, and recovery operations started.

Because of the condition of the remains, most bodies had to be carefully collected and preserved for scientific identification. Refrigeration trucks were used to store the bodies before they were moved to the hospital for post-mortems and DNA testing.

Families in deep shock

The crash has left families in deep grief. Many arrived in Ahmedabad from different parts of India and from abroad after hearing about the tragedy. Hospitals set up help desks to guide relatives and gather information about missing persons. Counseling was also offered to those in shock.

Authorities have urged families not to rush to the hospital unless they are called, especially as the identification process is still ongoing. Once DNA matches are confirmed, the families will be contacted directly. Officials are taking extra care to avoid confusion or delay in handing over the remains.

Meanwhile, the lone survivor, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, has become a symbol of hope. He is under medical care but is reportedly stable and talking. Doctors say he is mentally strong and responding well to treatment. His survival is being called a miracle by many.

The exact reason behind the crash is still under investigation. However, early reports suggest that there may have been an engineering fault. The aircraft had undergone some recent refurbishing work, and experts are now checking whether that played a role in the crash.

A detailed probe is being conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air India officials, and other technical experts. Black box data and cockpit voice recordings have been recovered and are being analyzed.

Until the final report is released, authorities have not made any official statements about the cause. But safety checks have been ordered for similar aircraft in the fleet to prevent such accidents in the future.

The Gujarat state government and the central government have both promised full support to the affected families. Financial compensation will be given to the next of kin. The families of foreign nationals are also being assisted through their respective embassies.

The Chief Minister of Gujarat visited the hospital and the crash site, offering condolences and assuring quick help. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his grief over the incident and called for a detailed inquiry. He praised the rescue workers and hospital staff for acting quickly.

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The crash has raised many questions about airline safety in India. Experts have pointed out that regular checks and better maintenance are needed, especially when an aircraft returns from repairs or upgrades. Passenger safety must always be the top priority.

Some aviation experts believe that apart from technical checks, pilot training, communication systems, and ground staff coordination should be improved. Several travelers have also called for better updates from airlines and faster information sharing during emergencies.

Public pressure is growing on authorities to take stronger action to make flying safer in India. Families who lost loved ones are demanding answers and justice.

The crash has received wide coverage in both Indian and international media. Social media platforms are filled with posts remembering the victims and praising the courage of the rescue teams. Emotional videos of families at the hospital and tributes to the victims have gone viral.

Many celebrities and public figures have also expressed their sorrow. Some criticized the airline and the aviation authorities for not doing enough to ensure safety.

News updates on the identification of bodies, condition of the survivor, and progress in the investigation are being followed closely by people around the world.

The Ahmedabad Air India crash is a national tragedy that has shaken the entire country. While officials are working hard to complete DNA identifications, families are waiting in pain for closure. With over 270 bodies to be identified and handed over, the process is slow but necessary.

This tragedy serves as a strong reminder that aviation safety cannot be taken lightly. Every part of the system — from aircraft maintenance to emergency response — must function flawlessly to prevent such incidents.

As the only survivor recovers and families begin to mourn their loved ones, the focus must now shift to learning lessons and making air travel safer for everyone in the future.