AHMEDABAD – Authorities have started handing over the remains of the victims from the tragic Air India crash that killed at least 270 people, including passengers and residents on the ground. The Boeing 787 was en route to London when it crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad just minutes after takeoff last Thursday.
Officials said the identification process has been slow due to the severe condition of the bodies, many of which were charred or mutilated. So far, 32 victims have been identified through DNA testing, and remains of 14 victims have been handed over to their families. Hundreds of relatives have submitted DNA samples in hopes of retrieving their loved ones.
Outside the Civil Hospital mortuary, families waited anxiously for updates. Many expressed frustration over the delays, though hospital officials explained that DNA matching can take up to 72 hours. Authorities are working to speed up the process and complete formalities as quickly as possible.
In the UK, Qasim Rashid Ahmed, a British national whose charity is supporting victims’ families, confirmed that many British-Indian relatives have submitted DNA samples. Most of the British victims had ties to Gujarat and had flown home for family visits or religious events.
Meanwhile, a high-level committee has been formed by the Indian government to investigate the causes behind the crash and to improve safety procedures for future emergencies. The Ministry of Civil Aviation also confirmed that Air India’s entire fleet of 787 Dreamliners is under inspection. Eight out of 34 aircraft have already been checked.
Investigators recovered the plane’s black box, which includes the flight data and cockpit voice recorders. Experts say the information will be vital in understanding what went wrong. Notably, this was the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 in its 16-year operational history, despite previous safety concerns linked to the aircraft manufacturer.