Ahmedabad Crash aftermath: DNA tests intensify to identify 241 victims

In the wake of the catastrophic Air India flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, which claimed 241 lives, authorities are grappling with the monumental task of identifying the victims. The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff in a residential area near a medical hostel, left most bodies severely burned or charred, rendering visual identification nearly impossible. Rescue teams and medical experts are now relying on DNA testing to determine the identities of the deceased, a process described as a significant challenge due to the condition of the remains.

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The majority of the bodies are either completely burned or more than half-destroyed, complicating efforts to establish identities. To address this, forensic teams are collecting DNA samples from the remains and cross-referencing them with samples from the victims’ families. This meticulous process is essential to ensure accurate identification, particularly for the 169 Indian and 53 British nationals among the deceased. Authorities have emphasized that collecting DNA from relatives is critical to matching the remains, a task that requires coordination with grieving families, many of whom are still in shock.

For foreign nationals, the identification process may take several days due to the need for international cooperation and verification. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and medical teams are working tirelessly at the crash site, supported by over 250 security personnel ensuring safety during ongoing operations.