In the wake of the devastating Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, authorities have been working tirelessly to identify the victims and return their remains to their families. Civil Hospital officials have provided updates on the grim process of identification and the handover of bodies, highlighting the challenges and the progress made so far.
As of June 20, 2025, approximately eight days after the crash, officials confirmed that 231 victims had been identified through DNA testing. The remains of 210 of these individuals have been handed over to their families for final rites. Ahmedabad Civil Hospital Superintendent Rakesh Joshi stated that among those identified, 166 are Indian nationals, 36 are British nationals, seven are Portuguese citizens, and one is a Canadian citizen. Of the Indian victims, 155 were passengers on the flight.
The process of identifying the victims has been arduous due to the severe damage inflicted on the bodies by the crash and subsequent fire. Many bodies were charred beyond recognition, necessitating the use of DNA matching for identification. Authorities collected DNA samples from 250 victims, including passengers and those who were killed on the ground, to aid in this process.
The Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London's Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The aircraft, carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed into a residential area near Meghani Nagar, impacting a medical college hostel. The crash claimed the lives of all but one person on board and a number of people on the ground.
The crash site presented a scene of devastation, with the wreckage of the aircraft scattered across the area and the hostel building severely damaged. Rescue teams worked diligently to recover bodies from the wreckage, while forensic experts collected samples for DNA analysis.
The tragedy has deeply affected the families of the victims, who have been waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones. Grieving relatives have gathered outside the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, seeking information and hoping to receive the remains of their family members. The hospital staff and local authorities have been providing support to the families, offering counseling and assistance with the necessary procedures.
In addition to the passengers and crew, the crash also claimed the lives of several people on the ground, including students from the B.J. Medical College. The loss of these young lives has been particularly devastating, with many describing them as future pillars of the healthcare system.
The government has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. The flight data recorder, or black box, was recovered, though it sustained some damage in the crash. The investigation aims to determine the factors that led to the crash and to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The Air India plane crash has left a scar on the city of Ahmedabad and the global community. As the process of identification and handover of bodies continues, the focus remains on providing support to the affected families and ensuring a thorough investigation into the cause of this tragic event.
