DNA of 190 Air India Crash Victims Matched, 157 Bodies Handed Over to Families

DNA of 190 victims of the Air India Flight 171 crash has been matched with samples provided by family members, authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The bodies of 157 victims have been handed over to their relatives for their last rites following the DNA identification.

Dr Rakesh Joshi, Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital said, “Till 10:45 am today, 190 DNA samples have matched. Mortal remains of 157 deceased have been handed over to their families,” Dr Joshi stated. Providing a breakdown of the identifications, he added, “Of the 190 DNA samples that have matched, 123 are Indians, 27 are from the UK, seven are Portuguese, four are non-passengers, and one person is from Canada.”

The DNA identification process is being conducted by experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory and the National Forensic Sciences University, who have been working around the clock since the tragedy occurred.

The crash took place on June 12, when a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into the hostel complex of B.J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad. The aircraft had just taken off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport when it went down, killing nearly everyone on board. Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Only one person on the flight survived.

Dr Joshi also confirmed that the sole survivor, identified as Vishwas, has now recovered and has been discharged from the hospital. “Lone survivor Vishwas has been discharged and sent back home with his family,” he said.​