Air India crash: 119 AI-171 victims identified through DNA

June 17, 2025 by News Desk

Four days after the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, authorities have identified 119 of the 270 victims using DNA profiling. As of Monday, 76 bodies — including that of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani — have been handed over to their families, officials confirmed.

The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed on June 12 shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, slamming into a medical college complex at 1:39 pm. Of the 242 passengers and crew aboard, 241 died, with just one passenger surviving the disaster. An additional 29 people, including five medical students on the ground, also lost their lives.

Given the severity of the crash and ensuing fire, many bodies were charred or badly disfigured, necessitating identification via DNA analysis. Dr. Rakesh Joshi, Medical Superintendent at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, said efforts are ongoing. “We hope to complete the profiling process by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning,” he said.

The remains of Rupani were handed over to his wife, Anjali Rupani, and family members at the city’s civil hospital. Officials stressed that while the process may take time, it is crucial for both legal and emotional closure. “We urge families to remain patient. This identification process is being conducted with the utmost care and legal diligence,” Joshi added.

DNA samples have so far been collected from 250 of the deceased, including both passengers and those killed on the ground.

As the nation grieves, authorities continue their efforts to ensure accurate identification and dignified handover of remains to grieving families.

— With agency inputs