232 bodies of Air India crash victims handed; 247 DNA matches confirmed

Ahmedabad: In a devastating tragedy that gripped the nation, an Air India flight bound for London crashed in Ahmedabad on the afternoon of June 12, claiming the lives of 241 out of 242 passengers and crew on board.

Remarkably, one individual survived the crash. The disaster also impacted those on the ground, as students in the Atulyam Hostel dining hall and several pedestrians near the crash site were among the casualties.

With rescue efforts concluded, authorities turned to the somber task of identifying the victims. By 6 PM on June 21, officials at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital confirmed DNA identification for 247 deceased individuals. Of these, 232 bodies have been returned to their families—23 by air and 209 by ambulance to their hometowns.

The Civil Superintendent reported that of the 15 remaining bodies, three families are still awaiting DNA confirmation for additional relatives, while the other 12 have opted to collect the remains at a later date, based on their own availability. This ongoing coordination is taking place under immense emotional strain.

Among the victims were 52 British nationals, seven from Portugal, one Canadian citizen, and 12 individuals who were not on the flight but tragically lost their lives on the ground, underscoring the far-reaching impact of the crash beyond those listed on the flight manifest.

Since the tragedy, authorities have been working relentlessly to recover remains, gather DNA samples, and identify victims to ensure that the bodies are returned to families with dignity. Officials at Civil Hospital remain optimistic that the identification and handover process will be finalized in the coming days, offering some sense of closure to grieving families.