In the aftermath of the tragic Air India crash on June 12 that claimed 241 lives, Ahmedabad Police said it acted swiftly by launching immediate rescue operations and creating a green corridor to ensure the rapid movement of ambulances and emergency services.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Ahmedabad Joint Commissioner of Police Jaipal S Rathore said, “After the Air India plane crash on June 12, Ahmedabad Police acted promptly, reaching the crash site along with senior officials, including the Joint Commissioner and members of the Commissionerate. A green corridor was created to ensure ambulances could operate without delay.”
Rathore added that 75 specialised teams were formed to manage the sensitive task of receiving mortal remains, conducting post-mortem procedures, and collecting DNA samples. “DNA matching operations began on June 14. After that, the remains were handed over to relatives as per due process,” he said. “All foreign nationals, especially those from the UK, Portugal, and Canada, were informed once post-mortem and DNA verification were completed.”
Meanwhile, Ahmedabad Civil Hospital Superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi confirmed that the DNA of 190 victims has been matched so far, and 157 of the bodies have been handed over to their families. Of the matched samples, 123 were Indian nationals, 27 from the UK, 7 from Portugal, and 1 from Canada. Four others were identified as non-passengers.
Dr Joshi also stated that the lone survivor of the crash, identified as Vishwas, has been discharged and sent home with his family.
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi had earlier posted on X that forensic teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) were working round the clock to complete DNA testing.
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, slamming into the hostel complex of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar locality. The crash claimed nearly all lives on board, including that of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.