The aftermath of the Air India Flight AI171 crash near Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, continues to unfold as authorities work to identify the victims and provide closure to grieving families. In a significant development, DNA matching has confirmed the identities of 32 victims of the tragic incident, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
The identification process, crucial due to the severe charring and damage to the bodies, has been painstaking. Teams from the State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) have been working around the clock to match DNA samples with those provided by family members. As of today, June 15, 2025, authorities have handed over the remains of 14 victims to their families, with the process ongoing. The deceased have been identified as being from various regions including Udaipur, Vadodara, Kheda, Mehsana, Arvalli, Ahmedabad and Botad districts.
The confirmation of Vijay Rupani's death has cast a pall over the state of Gujarat. Rupani, who was en route to London to visit his daughter, was among the 241 passengers on board the ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel confirmed the DNA match of Rupani's body and his mortal remains have been handed over to his family.
The Air India flight AI171, bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, impacting the BJ Medical College hostel complex. The crash resulted in the deaths of 241 passengers and crew members, along with 38 people on the ground, including five MBBS students. Vishwas Kumar Ramesh is the sole survivor of the crash and is currently receiving treatment.
In the wake of the tragedy, major Indian insurance companies, including SBI Life, HDFC Life, and ICICI Lombard, have announced relaxed claim settlement procedures for the victims of the Air India Flight AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad. Air India has also decided to make an additional interim payment of Rs 25 lakh to the families of those who died, and to the lone survivor of the crash, the airline's CEO Campbell Wilson said on Saturday. Furthermore, the Tata Group, which owns Air India, will be providing Rs 1 crore compensation to people who died on the ground.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has recovered the black box from the crashed aircraft. Aviation experts have described the crash as a "rarest of rare incidents," and the black box data will be crucial in determining the cause, whether it be due to engine failure, bird strike, pilot error, or technical fault.
As families await the remains of their loved ones, frustration and grief are palpable. Many have been camping at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, providing DNA samples and seeking updates. Authorities are working to expedite the identification process and provide support to the affected families. 230 teams have been formed to coordinate with the victims' families. Death certificates are also being issued on the spot to avoid any inconvenience to the families.
