Ahmedabad plane crash: DNA confirms identities of 31 victims; 12 bodies handed over

An ambulance waits to transport the remains of some of the victims of Thursday’s Air India plane crash to their respective homes, at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India, Saturday, June 14, 2025. | Photo Credit: AP

DNA testing has confirmed the identities of 31 victims from the June 12th Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, and 12 families have so far claimed the remains, authorities said on Sunday (June 15, 2025).

Dr. Rajnish Patel, professor of surgery at the government-run B.J. Medical College and Civil Hospital, said DNA matching is still underway for several victims, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was among those killed in the crash.

A total of 242 people — passengers and crew — were on board the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner when it crashed minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon. Only one passenger survived the incident. In addition to those on board, several people on the ground, including MBBS students living in the college hostel, were killed in the incident.

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To support grieving families and streamline identification and logistics, authorities have deployed 230 teams across the country and coordinated with foreign missions, as many of the victims were foreign nationals.

Earlier on Saturday, 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 counsellors are also being provided to help families cope with the trauma,” he added.

Published - June 15, 2025 10:50 am IST