Relatives of Air India Crash Victims Await Remains as DNA Testing Continues
Relatives of victims from one of the deadliest plane crashes in decades anxiously await the return of their loved ones’ remains, as Indian health officials have begun the painstaking process of handing over bodies following the tragic Air India crash near Ahmedabad. While some families have already held funerals for the 279 victims, many more face a heart-wrenching wait for DNA test results.
“It was supposed to take 48 hours, but it’s been four days and we haven’t heard anything,” said 23-year-old Rinal Christian, whose elder brother was among those on the ill-fated flight. The London-bound Air India jet crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all but one of the 242 passengers and crew, as well as at least 38 people on the ground when it slammed into a residential area.
“My brother was the sole breadwinner for our family. Now, we are left wondering what comes next,” Christian added.
Among those identified was Vijay Rupani, a senior figure in India’s ruling party and former chief minister of Gujarat. His flag-draped coffin was carried solemnly by soldiers through Ahmedabad, accompanied by mourners paying their respects.
In the Anand district, crowds gathered to honor 24-year-old passenger Kinal Mistry, who had postponed her flight — a decision that left her father grappling with grief and “what ifs.”
According to Air India, the flight carried 169 Indian nationals, alongside British, Portuguese, Canadian passengers, and a crew of 12. So far, 80 victims have been formally identified, with medical officials describing the identification process as “meticulous and slow.”
Authorities have cautioned families to avoid opening coffins, as many of the victims suffered severe burns and fragmented remains, complicating recovery efforts. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner erupted into flames moments after takeoff, devastating buildings used by medical staff on the ground.
Investigators continue combing through the charred wreckage, with the cause of the disaster yet to be determined. Indian officials have recovered both black boxes — the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder — which experts hope will shed light on the tragedy.
Meanwhile, British citizen Vishwash Kumar Ramesh remains the sole survivor. His brother, among the victims, has yet to be identified.
Frustrated relatives like Imtiyaz Ali, still awaiting DNA confirmation for his brother, have voiced concerns about the pace of support from the airline. “The airline should have been more proactive. It’s their responsibility,” Ali said.
As the families endure this agonizing wait, investigators race to uncover the cause of the crash, with Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu expressing hope that the black box data will provide “an in-depth insight” into what went wrong.
“Our urgent priority now is not only to bring closure to grieving families but also to prevent such a catastrophe from happening again,” the minister added.
