Ahmedabad: The painstaking process of DNA profiling following the devastating Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad has concluded, bringing a measure of closure to the families of the victims. Authorities have confirmed that the final death toll stands at 260, comprising 241 passengers and crew members and 19 individuals on the ground.
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London's Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, 2025. The aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel complex in the Meghaninagar area, causing a massive fire and widespread destruction. One passenger, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national, miraculously survived the crash.
Identifying the victims presented a significant challenge due to the extent of the damage caused by the impact and subsequent fire. Officials had to rely heavily on DNA testing to identify the remains, a process that typically takes months. However, in this instance, the identification of samples was completed in approximately two weeks.
Dr. Rakesh Joshi, Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, confirmed that the DNA matching of the last body was completed. The mortal remains have been handed over to the family. All 260 victims' bodies have been handed over to their relatives. Of the 260 deaths, 254 victims were identified through DNA testing and the remaining through facial recognition. A total of 318 body parts were recovered from the crash site.
The last victim to be identified was Anil Lalji Khimani, 32, a resident of Dahinsara village in Bhuj, Kutch district. His family had already performed symbolic last rites, believing he was among those killed.
The crash claimed the lives of 200 Indians, seven Portuguese nationals, 52 British nationals, and one Canadian. Among the Indian victims were 181 passengers and 19 people on the ground. The impact of the crash also affected the medical college hostel, resulting in the deaths of junior doctors, hospital staff, and passersby.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash. The aircraft's black boxes, including the Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder, were recovered and sent to Delhi for analysis. Data from the front black box has been successfully retrieved. The investigation aims to determine the sequence of events that led to the deadly accident.
The completion of the DNA profiling marks a significant step in providing closure to the families affected by this tragedy. The rapid completion of the identification process is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the forensic teams involved.
