Ahmedabad, June 13: DNA sampling is currently underway at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad to identify the deceased passengers of Air India Flight AI171, which crashed on June 12. The tragic accident claimed the lives of all 241 people on board, including 12 crew members, after the Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on Friday to assess the situation firsthand. He also met the sole survivor— a British national of Indian origin— and others injured in the incident during his visit to the Civil Hospital.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was briefed by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, emphasized the severity of the crash. He stated that nearly 125,000 litres of fuel onboard contributed to an intense fire, leaving virtually no chance of survival for most passengers. "Due to the high temperature caused by the fire, the chances of saving anyone were almost zero," Shah told the media.
He further added that nearly 1,000 DNA tests have been conducted so far to assist in the identification process. Official confirmation of the death toll will follow after these tests are completed.
Recalling the timeline of the response, Shah said, “Within 10 minutes of the crash, we received information and alerted the Prime Minister, the Gujarat Home Minister, the Home Department Control Room, Civil Aviation officials, and the concerned minister. Immediate coordinated efforts between Union and state agencies began for rescue and relief.”
The ill-fated flight was en route from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport. Onboard were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. The aircraft crashed into a resident doctors’ hostel building located near the airport, amplifying the devastation.
