The aftermath of the Air India AI171 crash near Ahmedabad continues to be a harrowing ordeal for the families of the victims, as they grapple with grief, the slow pace of identifying remains, and a desperate longing for closure. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday, June 12, 2025, claiming the lives of 241 passengers and crew, as well as at least 29 people on the ground.
Among those anxiously waiting is the family of 21-year-old Khushboo Rajpurohit, a newlywed from Rajasthan. Khushboo was en route to London to reunite with her husband, a doctor based in the UK, and begin their married life together. Her father, Madan Singh Rajpurohit, had accompanied her to Ahmedabad airport, filled with hope for his daughter's future. He even took a photo with her before departure, sending it to family with a blessing for her journey. Tragically, news of the crash reached him before he even made it back home.
The family's wait to receive Khushboo's mortal remains has been agonizing. Like many other families, they have been providing DNA samples to aid in the identification process, a process made difficult by the condition of the bodies recovered from the wreckage. Kishore Rajpurohit, Khushboo's uncle, was present outside the mortuary complex at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, awaiting the handover of her remains. The family was finally informed on Sunday morning that a DNA match had confirmed Khushboo's identity.
"We have been told that the body will be handed over shortly. She last spoke to her father before he dropped her off," a relative told The Independent. Khushboo's uncle, Kishore Rajpurohit, 56, said Khushboo had only recently married and was preparing to start a new life in London. "She got married on 17 January this year and was awaiting visa clearance to be able to travel to London and live with her husband," he said. Her father had gone to the airport to see her off. "He waited till she boarded and had not even crossed Mehsana when we learnt of the crash," Mr Rajpurohit added.
The scene outside the hospital is one of immense grief and frustration. Many families have voiced their discontent with the slow pace of the identification process, with some expressing feeling that authorities are not providing sufficient answers or support. While authorities state that DNA matching typically takes up to 72 hours and that they are expediting the process, the wait is an emotional torment for those who have lost loved ones.
Dr. Rajnish Patel, an official with a local hospital in Ahmedabad, said, “We're expediting the DNA matching process to hand over the bodies to their respective relatives. We're trying our best to facilitate the process and bring closure to the families.”
Air India has announced compensation for the families of the deceased, in addition to what is being offered by Tata Sons, the airline's owner. However, for many, financial compensation is secondary to the need for closure and the ability to properly mourn their loved ones.
As the investigation into the cause of the crash continues, families like Khushboo's are left to navigate the painful process of grief and remembrance. The hope for them, and for all the families affected by this tragedy, is that they can soon receive the remains of their loved ones and begin the long journey of healing.
