DNA Testing Confirms Identities of Victims in Ahmedabad Plane Crash

Identification of Victims Post-Crash
A week following the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, DNA testing has confirmed the identities of 211 out of the 270 individuals who lost their lives, as reported on Thursday. An official stated that the remains of 189 victims have been returned to their families.
The incident occurred on June 12 when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London’s Gatwick airport from Ahmedabad, crashed just 33 seconds after takeoff. This disaster is being regarded as one of the most severe aviation tragedies in the last decade.
The aircraft was carrying 242 passengers, with one individual surviving despite sustaining impact injuries. Additionally, 29 people on the ground were killed when the plane struck a hostel building associated with BJ Medical College and Hospital in Ahmedabad.
Dr. Rakesh Joshi, Medical Superintendent at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, reported that among the 189 bodies returned, 142 were Indian nationals, 32 were British, seven were Portuguese, and one was Canadian. The remains of seven individuals who perished on the ground have also been handed over to their families.
Investigators are actively working to uncover the causes of the accident, as stated by Air India on Wednesday. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has mandated thorough safety inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
Out of the 33 Dreamliner aircraft operated by Air India, 26 have been cleared for service following inspections, with checks on the remaining planes scheduled for the near future. Air India expressed confidence in its safety protocols, noting that the clearance of 26 aircraft is a positive sign.
As a precaution, the airline is also inspecting its fleet of Boeing 777 aircraft, another model in its widebody lineup. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation indicated that recent checks on the 787 fleet did not uncover any significant safety issues.