Plane crash: DNA samples taken from 192 families; bodies of five victims handed over
Ahmedabad: The process of identifying victims from the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 crash continues at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where bodies are being brought in for post-mortem examinations. As of now, five bodies have been identified and respectfully handed over to their families. These include two victims from Rajasthan, two from Bhavnagar, and one from Madhya Pradesh.
Civil Hospital officials confirmed that DNA samples have been collected from 192 families so far.
To support the identification process, a large team of 70 to 80 doctors, including those from PHCs (Primary Health Centres) and CHCs (Community Health Centres) across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Anand, and Nadiad, has been working around the clock in the post-mortem room since Thursday.
The state government has set up a dedicated facility at the Kasoti Bhavan on the ground floor of B.J. Medical College for collecting DNA samples. Health Principal Secretary Dhananjay Dwivedi stated that samples, mainly from immediate family members like parents or children, are being sent for matching. The process is expected to take at least three days.
To assist grieving families, the police and hospital staff are providing emotional support and ensuring that all formalities are handled with dignity and care.
For any queries regarding patients or post-mortem identification, the Civil Hospital has released helpline numbers: 6357373831, 6357373841
In addition, the state government has activated a control room at the State Emergency Operations Centre. Families can reach out for assistance on: 079-23251900, 9978405304
As the process of identification continues, officials have confirmed that over 250 post-mortem examinations have already been completed.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the city's Civil Hospital to meet those injured in the tragic incident and to express his condolences to the families of the deceased.
At the hospital, PM Modi was received by Civil Hospital Superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi, who provided a detailed briefing on the condition of the injured and the medical response underway. The Prime Minister also met with Ramesh Vishwas, the sole survivor of the crash, and other patients receiving treatment. He offered words of encouragement and support, assuring them of the government's full assistance during this difficult time.
PM Modi spent time with grieving families, conveying his heartfelt condolences and standing in solidarity with them amid their profound loss.
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The Hindu
30 minutes ago
- The Hindu
DNA samples of 11 Ahmedabad plane crash victims identified; families begin collecting remains
The Gujarat government confirmed on Saturday that 11 victims of the Air India Flight AI171 crash have been identified through DNA testing, with the process of releasing remains to families now underway. At a press briefing at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Dr. Rajnish Patel, Head of Surgery, stated, 'We handed over one body to family members this morning, with two more to be released by evening.' He confirmed that 11 DNA matches have been verified, adding, 'And the families of those victims have been contacted to collect the remains,' he said. Describing DNA matching as a 'meticulously slow process', he added, 'We need to carry it out with utmost care and precision. When The Hindu asked him about the total number of crash victims' bodies at the hospital, Dr. Patel deflected the question, saying, 'That is not… I don't have that data.' In response to another question about how many family members had come to provide DNA samples, he said, 'I do not have an exact number because I'm not involved in that area… and it is meaningless to dig into how many have come and gone… We have 11 positive results, and let us concentrate on that.' Earlier, eight visually identifiable victims had already been released to relatives without requiring DNA analysis. Dr. Patel noted the DNA matching process typically requires 72 hours for completion. 'It will take nearly 72 hours to complete the exercise of matching the DNA samples. Once they match, bodies will be handed over to the relatives from the post-mortem room,' Dr. Patel said. 'It will take nearly 72 hours to complete the process of matching DNA samples. Once they match, the bodies will be handed over to relatives from the post-mortem room,' Dr. Patel added. He said that one more body was recovered on Saturday, which was stuck beneath the tail portion of the crashed aircraft. According to Alok Kumar Pandey, Relief Commissioner and Secretary, Revenue Department, the state government had established contact with the families of 11 foreign nationals. 'A total of 230 teams have been formed to establish contact and hand over the mortal remains to the families. We began handing over the bodies today,' he said. Pandey added that the victims from Gujarat hailed from 18 districts and that the administration was also in touch with diplomats of other countries. The senior IAS officer said death certificates were being issued on the spot to avoid any inconvenience to the families. 'Each body will be escorted to its native place in an ambulance with police protection. Grief counselors are also being provided to help families cope with the trauma,' he added. 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Of the 16 spots, eight were from the Jammu region and eight from the Kashmir region. In the Jammu division, the spots selected were Sarthal, Baggar, Devi Pindi, Sehar Baba Waterfall, Sulha Park, Gul Danda, Jai Valley and Panchari. Evening Wrap will return tomorrow.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
3 pilgrims die during Hemkund Sahib yatra
Dehradun: Three pilgrims died during the Hemkund Sahib yatra — one after being hit by a boulder near Atalakoti while returning, and two others due to health complications, officials said on Saturday. Karamjit Singh, 32, from Maan Colony in Karnal district, Haryana, was struck by boulders near Atalakoti while descending from the gurdwara. Kuldeep Singh, 74, a resident of Chuna Mandi in Delhi, died from health issues while on the pilgrimage. Another pilgrim, around 50 years old, also died due to medical complications. Police and SDRF teams reached the spot. Karamjit was airlifted by helicopter to Govindghat, from where he was taken to the community health centre in Jyotirmath, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. 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
Gujarat government begins handover of Air India crash victims' bodies, deploys 230 teams for support
Following the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, the Gujarat government has started the process of handing over the victims' bodies to their families. State Emergency Commissioner Alok Pandey stated that the deceased are from 18 of Gujarat's 33 districts, with 230 teams deployed to support families during this process. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Pandey said that the administration has contacted families of all the victims and deployed 230 specialised teams to assist them. "Out of 33 districts of Gujarat, the deceased belong to 18 different districts. We established contact with the family members and formed 230 teams. We have started handing over the bodies from today. The family member who has given the DNA sample should come with a photo ID card when they come to collect the body. If they cannot come, their close relative can come with proof that may establish the relation," he said. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has established a streamlined system for issuing death certificates on the spot to expedite administrative formalities. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has created a system where death certificates will be provided immediately. The respective village accountant or 'Talati' will provide the family card immediately. For every family, an individual team has been formed to help them take the bodies to the respective hometowns. Live Events He also added, "A grief counsellor has been appointed for each family to address the mental trauma. The families of the 11 foreign nationals have also been contacted, and they will arrive here by noon tomorrow. State government call centres are functional too address questions." Meanwhile, the lone survivor of the recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad is in stable condition and recovering steadily, according to Civil Hospital authorities. Dr Rajnish Patel, Additional Medical Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, also spoke at the press conference, "The lone survivor is fine and recovering rapidly. He is stable." Providing details about the process of handing over the bodies to relatives, Dr. Patel explained that only after DNA verification will the bodies be released. "Once a DNA match is confirmed, a representative from the hospital will contact the family member. They will be given a phone number, which they can use upon reaching the Civil Hospital. From there, they will be guided to the Medical Superintendent's office, where the body will be handed over following due procedure," he said. Dr Patel urged families not to rush to the hospital and assured them that the authorities would inform them as soon as their loved one's DNA results are available. "There is no need to panic or come prematurely. Everything is being managed in a step-by-step manner," he added. On Thursday, the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was en route to London from Ahmedabad when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhai Patel International Airport, ramming into a doctors' hostel of BJ Medical College in the MeghNagar area in Gujarat's Ahmedabad. There were 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Of the passengers, 241 died in the crash. The lone survivor, identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
