Have 144 Victims of the Air India Plane Crash Been Identified?

Ahmedabad, June 17 (NationPress) Four days following the tragic incident involving Air India flight AI-171, which was traveling from Ahmedabad to London, authorities have announced that 144 DNA samples have been positively matched as of noon on Tuesday. This information was confirmed by Gujarat's Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi.

The identification work is being spearheaded by a collaborative team from the State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the National Forensic Sciences University, operating tirelessly to provide answers to the grieving families.

"This is an incredibly sensitive and emotional responsibility. Each match signifies not only a technical confirmation but also a crucial step towards providing closure to families enduring immense pain," commented an official from the forensic department.

Emergency response crews are still active at the crash site located in Meghaninagar, where investigators persist in recovering personal belongings and body fragments from the wreckage.

Authorities have emphasized that all measures are being taken to maintain the dignity of the deceased and ensure transparent communication with the families of the victims.

The Tata Group, which regained ownership of Air India in 2022, has announced a compensation of Rs one crore for the families of each victim from the AI-171 crash near Ahmedabad. Furthermore, Air India has provided an immediate interim relief payment of Rs 25 lakh per family, as well as to the sole survivor, to assist with urgent needs.

The group will also bear all medical expenses for the injured and has pledged financial support for the reconstruction of a damaged hostel at BJ Medical College. Chairman N. Chandrasekaran described this incident as "one of the darkest days in the Tata Group’s history."

As of June 17, the rescue and recovery operations at the Ahmedabad crash site of Air India flight AI-171 remain extensive and well-coordinated. More than 300 firefighters, aided by 60 fire vehicles and 20 water bowsers from Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, ONGC, and other nearby organizations, continue to clear debris and extinguish lingering fires.

On the ground, teams from NDRF, along with 150 CRPF officers, Indian Army personnel, and units from CISF, BSF, and Western Railway Disaster Management, are conducting thorough searches for remains and missing items.

Specialized sniffer dogs are assisting in the recovery of human remains, while the Ahmedabad Police, addressing concerning reports, have deployed animal rescue teams to safely relocate stray dogs scavenging at the crash site.