Days after Air India’s Ahmedabad-to-London flight crashed with 242 passengers and crew on board, DNA testing has confirmed the identities of more than 60 victims, as authorities continue recovery and investigation efforts.
The tragedy has plunged Gujarat into mourning. Fourteen bodies have been handed over to their families for final rites. Among the deceased is former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose identity was confirmed through DNA analysis. His funeral is being organized in Rajkot, with state leaders preparing to honour his legacy.
In Vadodara, the family of victim Kalpana Prajapati performed her last rites after receiving her remains. State authorities are working to ease logistical burdens for grieving families by issuing death certificates directly at hospitals, eliminating the need to visit multiple government offices.
At the crash site, teams from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) continue to recover wreckage and analyse evidence. Boeing officials and Dr. P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, visited the site and received briefings from the AAIB Director General.
One potentially critical piece of evidence has emerged in the form of a video captured by 12th-grade student Aryan Asari, who filmed the moment the aircraft lost control and exploded in mid-air. Investigators have labelled the footage a key visual clue in understanding the cause of the crash.
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi and Health Minister Rushikesh Patel have assured families of continued support during this difficult time.
As the investigation intensifies, families across the state begin the painful journey of mourning. The crash has not only shaken the nation but also exposed the emotional and administrative challenges of managing one of India’s deadliest aviation tragedies in recent memory.
