Tragic Plane Crash in Ahmedabad: Recovery and Identification Efforts Underway

Recovery of Victims from the Ahmedabad Plane Crash

All bodies from the Air India Boeing Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad have been recovered, with many undergoing DNA identification. Health department officials confirmed that the remains of all victims have been found, with DNA matching completed for 253 bodies and facial recognition used for six. Since the tragic incident involving a flight bound for London on June 12, no official death toll has been released. Authorities indicated that a definitive number will only be available after the DNA matching process is finalized.

Community Grieves as Families Seek Answers

The devastating plane crash has left the community in Ahmedabad in shock and disbelief. Families of the deceased flocked to civil hospitals in search of answers, hope, or simply solace. Emotional scenes unfolded as a husband, burdened with guilt over losing his wife, and a father, in denial about his son's death, were among those visibly affected. Many appeared emotionally shattered, while psychologists quietly offered their support and empathy.

Psychological Support Initiated for Affected Families

In the wake of the tragic incident, the psychiatry department at BJ Medical College promptly mobilized a team of five senior residents and five counselors to provide round-the-clock support at various hospital locations. Their primary role is to assist families grappling with the mental trauma following the disaster. The crash has been described as unimaginable, with even bystanders visibly disturbed. Dr. Meenakshi Parikh, Dean of BJMC and head of psychiatry, emphasized the profound impact on those who lost loved ones.

Identification of Victims Continues

To date, 259 victims have been identified, including 199 from India and 60 from the UK, Portugal, and Canada. The remains of 256 passengers have been returned to their families. Dr. Parikh noted the overwhelming distress among families as they awaited news, particularly with reports of a sole survivor sparking hope that it might be their loved one. The uncertainty surrounding the identification process and the need for DNA samples from relatives added to the emotional strain.

Families Struggle with Acceptance

Dr. Urvika Parikh recounted the challenges faced as families struggled to accept the reality of their losses. Many were in denial, persistently seeking updates and clinging to the hope that their family member might still be alive. Providing them with information proved to be incredibly difficult, necessitating the provision of psychological first aid before any further discussions could take place. The emotional toll of viewing their loved ones' remains made acceptance even harder, but counseling played a crucial role during this critical time.