Official death toll only after DNA testing is completed: Amit Shah
Ahmedabad, June 12 (UNI) Expressing deep sorrow on behalf of the nation, following the tragic Air India flight crash, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that the official death toll will be declared only after DNA testing is completed.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the crash site, Shah said, 'Immediately after the incident, the Government of Gujarat activated all disaster response mechanisms. The Health Department, Fire Brigade, Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were swiftly mobilized. Rescue and relief operations began without delay.'
He confirmed that the retrieval of bodies is nearly complete and emphasized the importance of proper identification. 'DNA sampling of the victims' relatives who have reached the site will be completed within the next two to three hours. Families of those living abroad have already been informed,' Shah stated.
Moreover, the Home Minister said that approximately 1,000 DNA tests are expected to be conducted. The testing will be carried out jointly by Gujarat's Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU).
'We are working to ensure the process is completed in the shortest time possible, after which the bodies will be respectfully handed over to their families,' he informed.
Shah said that the high volume of fuel—approximately 1,25,000 litres—aboard the aircraft caused an intense fire, eliminating any chance of survival for most passengers. 'The temperature became so extreme that survival was nearly impossible,' he said.
However, he shared that one passenger had miraculously survived and that he met the injured individual at the hospital.
The Home Minister also informed that the Aviation Department has initiated an urgent and comprehensive investigation into the crash to determine its cause.
'This is a moment of great grief for the nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected by this tragedy,' Shah added.
Notably, a UK-bound Air India flight with 242 people on board crashed near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those killed in the crash.
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