Grief deepens as authorities confirm four BJ Medical College students and several of their relatives died in the June 12 Air India crash; only one survivor reported.
Ahmedabad, June 15: The death toll from the catastrophic Air India flight AI 171 crash has officially risen to 250, with authorities confirming on Saturday that four medical students from BJ Medical College and several of their relatives are among the deceased. The incident, which occurred on June 12, continues to send shockwaves across the nation as more victims are identified and families grieve devastating losses.
Dhaval Gameti, Vice President of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) and President of the Junior Doctors Association, BJ Medical College, stated that a total of nine lives were lost from their community—four medical students and five of their relatives.
“Twenty students were admitted after the crash. Eleven have now been discharged, and eight to nine are still under treatment,” Gameti informed the media.
The ill-fated Air India Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed seconds after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Out of 242 passengers and crew, 241 perished, leaving behind only one survivor in what aviation experts have called a “miracle within a tragedy.”
Among the high-profile victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose passing added political weight to the already grim disaster.
Tragedy struck beyond the manifest of the flight. According to Gameti, 21 additional bodies were recovered from the doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College, which was struck directly by the aircraft. Those victims were not aboard the plane but were caught in the devastating impact zone. Authorities are conducting DNA testing to establish identities, and over 270 bodies have now been recovered in total.
“Other than the passengers, 21 bodies have been recovered from the crash site. DNA testing is underway,” said Gameti.
Heart-wrenching stories of loss continue to emerge. Lawrence Daniel Christian, a young professional who had been working in London, had returned to Ahmedabad just 15 days earlier following his father’s death. Tragically, on his return journey to London, he boarded the doomed flight.
His grieving mother, Raveena Daniel Christian, could barely hold back tears while speaking to ANI:
“He came here on leave after my husband’s death… He was returning to London and we also went to drop him…” she trailed off, overcome by sorrow.
Additional Medical Superintendent Dr. Rajnish Patel confirmed the progress on body identification efforts:
“So far, DNA samples of 15 deceased have been matched. The mortal remains of three individuals have been handed over to their families.”
Authorities continue to appeal for patience and cooperation as DNA testing, medical treatment, and crisis response efforts continue. The crash site at BJ Medical College, where the aircraft crashed into a hostel building, remains sealed off for safety and investigation.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India are conducting in-depth inquiries, while grief-stricken families wait for closure and justice.