Ahmedabad Crash: Families Agonise As Complex DNA Process Slows Return Of Victims' Remains

Last Updated:June 16, 2025, 09:33 IST

The Gujarat government and hospital authorities have arranged for 192 ambulances to carry the mortal remains home

Empty coffins brought at the mortuary of the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad for victims of Air India crash. (PTI)

The wait for mortal remains of those killed in the Ahmedabad air crash may get a little longer for bereaved families, as Dr Rajnish Patel, medical superintendent of the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, said the process could take another 3-4 days.

“DNA test is a complex process. Even when the DNA sample from a body matches with that of a family member, there are more steps and paperwork to be completed. It is a complex process so handing over all mortal remains could take another 3-4 days," he said in a media conference.

As of Monday morning, 42 mortal remains had been handed over and 87 DNA samples were matched, including that of a foreign national. The officials from the hospital, however, could not disclose the total death toll even four days after the crash. “It is difficult to come to a number till the time the entire DNA sampling process is completed. Many body parts have been recovered from the crash site, so it is difficult to say how many have died," relief commissioner Alok Pandey said.

FSL director HP Sanghvi explained that though the process of DNA match is fool proof, it is time consuming. “One method of collecting DNA is through blood sample, which is quick. The other method involves collecting samples from the remains of the deceased, which is more complex and requires greater precision. Samples collected from the remains are carefully cleaned to avoid external contamination," he said.

Detailing the process being undertaken, he explained that DNA is extracted either through bones or teeth.

“If the sample includes a bone, it is ground into a powder. If the sample includes a tooth, it is broken into small pieces and then powdered. The powdered sample is then subjected to a precise temperature in a special machine to isolate the DNA. The quantity and quality of this isolated DNA is then checked using an RT-PCR machine. If the DNA meets the required standards, multiple copies are prepared. Both strains of the DNA are separated, and the strains are then run through a sequencer machine to obtain the DNA profile. This entire process is highly complex and time-consuming," he said.

192 Ambulance & Police Escort Vans Waiting

The Gujarat government and hospital authorities have arranged for 192 ambulances to carry the mortal remains home. Twenty-two teams have been formed to assist the families with insurance claims. Police escort vehicles, counsellors, government officials have all been assigned to each bereaved family to help them with legalities like death certificates etc.

A total of 230 families have been contacted so far, and three families based outside India are expected to reach Ahmedabad by Monday to provide their DNA sample.

Arunima

Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero ...Read More

Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero ...

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News india Ahmedabad Crash: Families Agonise As Complex DNA Process Slows Return Of Victims' Remains