Ahmedabad, June 24: In the aftermath of the tragic Air India AI171 flight crash, the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital has handed over the bodies of 256 victims to their respective families, according to Dr. Rakesh Joshi, the hospital’s medical superintendent. A total of 259 victims have been identified, with DNA results confirming the identities of 253 individuals.
“As of 7 PM on June 23, 253 DNA sample results were received, including 240 passengers and 13 non-passengers. Along with 6 previously identified through facial recognition, a total of 259 victims have been identified. Of those, 256 bodies have already been returned to families,” Dr. Joshi told ANI.
Breakdown of Identified Victims
Dr. Joshi provided a country-wise breakdown of the 256 repatriated victims:
- 180 Indians
- 49 British citizens
- 7 Portuguese nationals
- 1 Canadian
- 19 non-passengers
“Of these, 28 bodies were transported by air, while 228 were transported by road,” he added. He also confirmed that all 52 British passengers have been identified, with 49 already repatriated and 3 awaiting transport.
The Crash: A National Tragedy
On June 12, Air India AI171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed into a hostel complex of BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
Air India CEO Responds to Safety Concerns
Two days prior, Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson issued a statement reassuring the public about the safety of the airline’s Boeing 787 fleet.
“We have completed additional precautionary checks as required by the DGCA, which has confirmed that our aircraft meet all necessary standards,” Wilson said in an internal communication.
Support for Families of Victims
Air India has established a central helpdesk, active since June 15, to assist families with documentation and claims. The airline has begun processing interim compensation of ₹25 lakh per deceased individual to support immediate financial needs.
“We stand in complete solidarity with the grieving families and are doing everything possible to provide support in this tragic time,” the airline stated.
The AI171 crash marks one of the deadliest air disasters in recent Indian aviation history and has sparked nationwide mourning and intense scrutiny of aircraft safety protocols.