How will the Ahmedabad plane crash victims be identified as families await answers amid tragic aftermath?
DNA Testing: A Crucial Step in Victim Identification
Scientific Process Behind DNA Matching
Scene of the Crash and Current Relief Measures
In the wake of the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, authorities are now focused on the grim task of identifying the deceased. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, en route to London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The massive scale of the tragedy has complicated identification efforts, requiring the use of DNA testing to determine the identities of the victims.With bodies charred beyond recognition, officials have turned to DNA profiling as the primary method for confirming the identities of those who lost their lives. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed in the media briefing that DNA sampling is currently underway, and identification will only be finalized after this process is completed.Dhananjay Dwivedi, Principal Secretary of Gujarat's Health Department, stated that DNA testing is being conducted at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad. Families of victims have been asked to submit DNA samples, particularly parents and children of those presumed dead. These samples are essential for comparison against tissue retrieved from the crash site.Samples are being collected at Kasoti Bhavan of BJ Medical College, with special provisions made at Civil Hospital. To assist families, helpline numbers—6357373831 and 6357373841—have been issued for inquiries related to victims and those injured.As per Nature.com, DNA identification works by comparing Short Tandem Repeats (STRs)—repeating sequences in DNA that differ among individuals. While most of the human genome is similar across people, these STR regions vary and allow scientists to distinguish individuals. In India, nine core STR loci are routinely used for forensic identification. By matching these regions between samples from crash victims and their relatives, forensic teams can accurately confirm identities.Although this method is highly reliable, it is not instantaneous. Extracting viable DNA from remains and running comparative analyses can take days, especially in mass casualty situations. Moreover, the emotional toll on families awaiting confirmation adds another layer of urgency and sensitivity.Visuals from the crash site showed the aircraft engulfed in smoke and flames, with debris scattered over residential quarters near the airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi swiftly directed Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to oversee rescue efforts on the ground. According to officials, 50 people were injured in the crash, many from the Meghaninagar locality, and are being treated at Civil Hospital. All are reported to be in stable condition.One passenger, Vishwaskumar Ramesh, miraculously survived. He was seated in 11A and was travelling with his brother. He is currently admitted in the trauma ward at the hospital.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
City residents face water shortage, rely on tankers
Jaipur: Residents are grappling with growing water crisis as temperature soars. Despite the Bisalpur water supply scheme meant to provide relief, the public health engineering department (PHED) has limited water supply timings to just 30 minutes, worsening the situation in several city wards. Arvind Methi, councillor of Ward 71 in the Walled City, said, "Our ward covers the Gangauri Bazaar area, where groundwater level has dropped drastically. While PHED tankers sometimes arrive, we often arrange private tankers ourselves for Rs 400–500." Sannu Chaudhary, councillor of Ward 97 under JMC-Greater, added, "Bisalpur pipelines were laid here, but the actual supply is negligible. We've raised the issue repeatedly, but nothing changes." In Ward 65 of JMC-H, councillor Dashrath Singh Shekhawat shared, "We need water tankers daily. The corporation sometimes sends them, but people frequently end up spending Rs 500 out of their own pockets." Sanjay Saini, owner of a private water tanker company, explained, "Private tankers operate based on demand. Normally, a tanker costs Rs 300–450, but during peak demand, it can go up to Rs 1000." The crisis is impacting everyday life. Geeta Devi, a resident of Ward 76, said, "We stand in queues every morning with buckets. School-going children don't have enough water, and daily chores are left undone." Rekha Agarwal, who lives near Subhash Chowk, added, "Earlier we'd get water every day for 1 hour. Now it's a half-hour supply, if at all. Women are the worst hit." Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Gehlot criticises state govt's donation policy for hospitals
1 2 3 4 5 6 Jaipur: Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot criticised the Bhajan Lal Sharma govt's new directive requiring donors of ambulances, diagnostic machines, and medical equipment to also cover five years of operational costs, including diesel, driver salaries, and equipment operators Friday. Calling the move "anti-charity and illogical," Gehlot said, "When people come forward to support public health infrastructure out of goodwill, such conditions only discourage and insult their intent. Instead of welcoming donors, the govt is practically asking them to run the health system too." "Donors always coordinate with hospitals and contribute what is genuinely needed. Their help directly benefits patients and strengthens local facilities," said a senior doctor at a govt hospital in Jaipur. "Burdening them with fuel and salaries is unprecedented." Gehlot also questioned the contradiction in the state's policies. "On one hand, the govt is promoting Rising Rajasthan, claiming to have signed Rs 35 lakh crore in MoUs, offering massive subsidies to investors. On the other, they seem incapable of using donated hospital equipment without added conditions. It raises doubts about the govt's priorities and financial health." Policy observers warn that the order may significantly reduce donations to hospitals, especially in rural areas where donor support often fills critical service gaps. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Fire breaks out in Noida hospital, patients evacuated; short-circuit suspected
Noida: A fire broke out early Friday morning in the record room of Sumitra Hospital in Sector 35. The fire was reportedly caused due to a short circuit in the computer equipment, and the affected room was locked during the incident. Six fire tenders and hydraulic platforms from the fire safety department controlled the blaze in an hour. As dense smoke spread to the first and second floors, around 25 patients were safely evacuated and relocated. Firefighters confirmed there were no serious injuries or casualties. "Two patient attendants sustained minor injuries while exiting through a window," chief fire officer Pradeep Kumar Chaubey said. The broader issue of fire safety in the district revealed that 42 hospitals operate without valid fire no objection certificates (NOCs), with many lacking standard safety infrastructure such as extinguishers, alarms, hydrants, and clear evacuation routes. Officials noted that previous incidents, including a recent blaze at Metro Hospital in Noida and server-room fires in other medical facilities, highlight the urgent need for compliance. Hospital management confirmed that all necessary precautions and safety protocols were in place, but the short circuit triggered the fire. Earlier this week, a minor fire broke out in the physiotherapy ward of Metro Hospital in Sector 11. While several equipment were damaged, no evacuation was required, police said. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
