The aftermath of the Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad is a scene of immense grief and painstaking efforts as authorities work to identify the victims and provide closure to their families. The death toll has reached 279, making it one of the worst aviation disasters in recent history. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, impacting a residential area and a medical staff hostel.
The primary challenge facing authorities is the identification of the deceased. Due to the intensity of the fire and the extent of damage to the bodies, visual identification is impossible in many cases. As a result, DNA testing has become the crucial method for confirming the identities of the victims. State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) teams are working around the clock to match DNA samples from the remains with those provided by the victims' families.
As of June 15, 2025, three days after the crash, 47 victims have been identified through DNA testing, and the bodies of 24 have been handed over to their families. The process is meticulous and time-consuming, with officials emphasizing the need for accuracy and care. Dr. Rajnish Patel, a senior doctor at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, explained that the DNA matching process typically requires 72 hours for completion. Despite the slow pace, families are desperate for any news and are understandably frustrated by the wait.
The airline has decided to retire the flight number to prevent further emotional distress and bad memories for passengers and staff. The flight from Ahmedabad to Gatwick (London) will now operate under the number AI 159.
The crash site is a scene of devastation. The aircraft's tail section is the only recognizable part of the plane, with the rest of the wreckage scattered across the area. Recovery teams have been scouring the site for days, searching for any remaining bodies or personal belongings.
The lone survivor of the crash, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is recovering in a hospital. He has spoken about the moment the plane came to a standstill in midair and how he managed to escape from the wreckage.
In the wake of the tragedy, Air India has announced additional compensation of ₹25 lakh to the families of the deceased, in addition to the ₹1 crore already announced by Tata Sons. Insurance companies have also eased claim processes to provide immediate support to the affected families.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an enhanced safety audit for Air India's Dreamliner fleet. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with officials hoping that the recovered black box will provide valuable insights into what went wrong. Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu expressed hope that decoding the flight data recorder would provide an in-depth understanding of the events leading to the crash.
The accident marks the first crash involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in its 16 years of operation.
