A profound pall of sorrow hangs over Ahmedabad as hundreds of grieving relatives of victims from the devastating Air India Flight AI171 crash endure an agonizing wait for the identification of their loved ones. The plane, bound for London Gatwick, crashed moments after takeoff on June 12, 2025, claiming the lives of 241 of the 242 people on board, along with several individuals on the ground. The sheer intensity of the inferno that engulfed the aircraft, fueled by its heavy load, has left many bodies charred beyond recognition, making the identification process a painstaking and emotionally harrowing ordeal.
At the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, the scene is one of raw despair. Families, many of whom have traveled from distant parts of India and even the United Kingdom, sit in hushed corridors, their faces etched with grief and uncertainty. Each passing hour deepens their anguish as they await any news that might bring them closer to their loved ones’ remains. For many, the hope of a quick visual identification has long faded, replaced by the grim reality that only scientific methods can provide the answers they so desperately seek.
The primary method for identifying the victims has become DNA profiling. Forensic teams are working tirelessly around the clock, collecting DNA samples from close family members – typically blood or saliva – to match against the fragmented and severely burned remains recovered from the crash site. While a handful of victims, mostly those on the ground who suffered less severe damage, have been identified through personal belongings or initial recognition and subsequently handed over to their families, the vast majority require this complex and time-consuming DNA analysis. Authorities have indicated that the DNA matching process could take between 48 to 72 hours, adding to the already unbearable wait for families craving a semblance of closure.
The stories emerging from the tragedy are heart-wrenching. There’s the young couple who had embarked on the flight with dreams of building a new life in the UK, now shattered. A father, taking his first-ever flight to visit his son in London, had his journey end in unspeakable tragedy. Another family is grappling with the loss of a newlywed daughter, whose first trip to meet her husband abroad tragically became her last. These individual narratives underscore the immense human cost of the disaster, impacting communities far beyond the immediate crash site.
Alongside the solemn task of identification, a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. The flight’s digital flight data recorder, commonly known as the black box, has been recovered from the wreckage, a crucial step that is expected to shed light on the final moments of Flight AI171. Indian aviation authorities are collaborating with experts from the United States and the United Kingdom. Air India and the state government have pledged full support to the affected families, including financial compensation and assistance with medical expenses for the injured, while also setting up assistance centers to provide much-needed guidance and counseling.
As forensic experts continue their meticulous work, the families in Ahmedabad can only wait, clinging to memories and the hope that soon, they will be able to perform the final rites for their beloved kin. The air crash has not only left a trail of devastation but also a profound emotional void, as a nation mourns with those who have lost so much.