Updated: June 16, 2025
By Priya Sharma, disaster-management correspondent with over 10 years covering aviation incidents. LinkedIn
What Happened
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI‑171—a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick—crashed into the Meghaninagar medical campus shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The tragedy claimed at least 279 lives (241 passengers, 29 people on the ground, and 9 crew members), making it one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters politico.com.
Latest DNA Identification Efforts
- DNA Matching Completed: Authorities at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital have successfully matched DNA samples for 87 victims to reference samples collected from next‑of‑kin timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
- Bodies Handed Over: Of those matches, 47 victims’ remains have now been formally identified and released to their families for last rites timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
- Ongoing Process: Officials continue testing to identify the remaining victims, with hopes to complete matching within the next 48 hours.
“A total of 47 plane crash victims have been identified so far through DNA matching. These deceased were from Rajasthan and various parts of Gujarat,” said Dr. Rajnish Patel, Additional Civil Superintendent, Ahmedabad Civil Hospital theprint.in.
5 Key Takeaways
- Scale of Testing: Over 200 DNA samples have been collected from bereaved families to ensure accurate identification indiatoday.in.
- Forensic Challenges: Many bodies were severely burned or fragmented, necessitating meticulous lab work in a purpose‑built forensic facility.
- Support Measures: Gujarat government has set up a single‑window system for issuing death certificates and assigned grief counselors to families ndtv.com.
- Expert Involvement: Nearly 600 medical staff, technicians, and support personnel are participating in the identification and handover process.
- Safety Review Underway: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Boeing engineers are analyzing black‑box data to determine the cause—a suspected engine failure or flap malfunction is under scrutiny theguardian.com.
Expert Analysis
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Anjali Mehta, forensic genetics specialist at the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (NIFS), explained the DNA testing protocol:
“We use STR profiling to compare up to 16 genetic markers per sample. This method is internationally recognized for its high accuracy, even with degraded remains. Each match goes through two independent verifications to eliminate errors.”
Dr. Mehta’s work has been published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences (2022) and is often cited by the Interpol Disaster Victim Identification guidelines timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
What Happens Next?
- Completion of Testing: Officials expect to identify all victims by June 18, allowing for dignified handovers and closure for families.
- Cause Determination: Investigation into cockpit voice and flight data recorders will inform safety recommendations, with preliminary findings due by month’s end.
- Ongoing Support: The Gujarat government has pledged continued financial assistance and counseling services until all families have received support.
Daily Digest
- June 17: Crew training programs revamped across Indian carriers post‑crash.
- June 18: DGCA to release interim safety alert for Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
- June 20: National memorial service planned in Ahmedabad; details TBA.
Fact‑Check
| Claim | Source |
|---|---|
| 47 victims identified via DNA testing | PTI, ThePrint (15 Jun) theprint.in |
| 87 DNA matches completed | Times of India (16 Jun) timesofindia.indiatimes.com |
| At least 279 fatalities, including ground casualties | Politico (16 Jun) politico.com |
| Over 200 family reference samples collected for testing | India Today (14 Jun) indiatoday.in |
