Air India crash: 144 DNA matches confirmed
The coordinated effort involves three NDRF teams, 150 CRPF officers, Indian Army personnel, and specialized teams from CISF, BSF, and Western Railway Disaster Management
Ahmedabad: Four days after the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 on its route from Ahmedabad to London, authorities announced that 144 DNA samples have been successfully matched. The identification process is being handled by a dedicated team from the State Forensic Science Laboratory and the National Forensic Sciences University, who are working diligently to bring much-needed clarity to the families in mourning.
The process of matching the DNA is not just a technical exercise, it is a sensitive mission aimed at providing closure to grieving relatives. Every confirmed match serves as an essential step towards affirming the identities and ensuring that the deceased are treated with the dignity they deserve.
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Meanwhile, emergency response teams remain at the Meghaninagar crash site, where investigators are carefully recovering personal belongings and body fragments amid the ongoing debris clearing. These efforts are being conducted with utmost respect for the victims and a commitment to transparency in communications with their loved ones.
In response to the tragedy, Tata Group, after re-acquiring Air India in 2022, has announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 1 crore for the families of each deceased individual. Alongside this, Air India has released an immediate interim relief payout of Rs 25 lakh per family (and to the lone survivor) to help with urgent needs. Additionally, the group will cover all medical expenses for those injured and has pledged financial support for rebuilding a damaged hostel at BJ Medical College.
Rescue operations continue with over 300 firefighters supported by 60 fire vehicles and 20 water bowsers from various agencies including Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, and ONGC. The coordinated effort also involves three NDRF teams, 150 CRPF officers, Indian Army personnel, and specialized teams from CISF, BSF, and Western Railway Disaster Management, all working tirelessly to search for remains and recover missing belongings.
To further aid the recovery efforts, specialized sniffer dogs are on-site to locate human remains. Additionally, in response to reports of stray dogs wandering the area, the Ahmedabad Police have deployed animal rescue teams to safely relocate these animals from the site.
This comprehensive and compassionate response underscores the commitment to both recovery operations and the care of affected families during one of the community’s darkest times.
