The tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 continues to leave a trail of heartbreak, with another family now grappling with a triple loss. Bhogilal Parmar and his wife Hansa, natives of Rakhiyana near Mandal in Ahmedabad district, were among the victims of the June 12 crash. The couple, on their first trip abroad, were en route to the UK to visit their son and daughter-in-law, who are expecting their first child this week, Times of India reported.
But before the family could overcome the loss, 65-year-old Gomti Parmar, Bhogilal’s elder sister, collapsed and died during a mourning gathering at the family’s residence in Ahmedabad’s Lambha, the report further stated.
“She was extremely close to my mama. She couldn’t take the shock. Her heart gave out,” her son Sagar told ToI.
Gomti’s final rites were performed on Friday, before those of her brother and sister-in-law. While Hansa’s body has been identified, Bhogilal’s remains are still undergoing DNA testing. His daughter Pinki has provided a sample for confirmation.
“The grief is too heavy to bear,” said Sagar. “This was supposed to be a week of celebration. Now we are surrounded by unimaginable sorrow,” the report quoted him as saying.
Five days after an Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad claimed 270 lives, 163 victims have so far been identified through DNA matching and 124 bodies handed over to their families, officials said on Tuesday.
Authorities are carrying out DNA tests to establish the identity of the victims as many bodies were charred beyond recognition or damaged.
“So far, 163 DNA samples have been matched, and 124 bodies have been handed over to the respective families. Remaining mortal remains will be handed over soon,” Medical Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital Dr Rakesh Joshi told reporters.
Of the 71 injured persons admitted to the hospital after the crash, nine are currently undergoing treatment while two died during treatment, said Joshi.
He dismissed reports which claimed two more MBBS students of BJ Medical College, affiliated to the Civil Hospital, were killed in the crash.