Families Grieve and Await DNA Results After Devastating Air India Plane Crash

June 16, 2025 – Families across India and abroad are grappling with unimaginable loss and uncertainty following one of the worst aviation disasters in recent history. As Indian health officials begin releasing the bodies of crash victims, many grieving families are still waiting for DNA testing to confirm the identities of their loved ones.

The crash of Air India Flight 171, which occurred last Thursday in Ahmedabad, killed 279 people and left a nation mourning. While a few families have begun the painful process of burying their loved ones, others face a prolonged wait for DNA results that will allow them to begin the funeral rites so vital in Indian culture.

“They said it would take 48 hours. But it’s been four days and we haven’t received any response,” said 23-year-old Rinal Christian, whose older brother was aboard the ill-fated flight. “My brother was the sole breadwinner of the family. So what happens next?”

Flight 171 was en route to London with 242 people on board, including 12 crew members, when it crashed into a densely populated residential area shortly after takeoff. At least 38 people on the ground were also killed, bringing the total death toll to 279. Miraculously, there was one sole survivor.

Funerals Begin as Some Families Receive Remains

Though the identification process is ongoing, Indian authorities have begun returning bodies to families whose loved ones have been confirmed. A total of 80 victims had been identified by Sunday evening, according to Dr. Rajnish Patel of Ahmedabad’s civil hospital.

“This is a meticulous and slow process,” Patel explained. “It has to be done with care to ensure accuracy.”

Among the first funerals held was that of Vijay Rupani, a senior political leader and former chief minister of Gujarat. His flag-draped coffin was accompanied by soldiers and mourners in a solemn ceremony.

In nearby Anand district, hundreds gathered to mourn the loss of 24-year-old Kinal Mistry. Her father, Suresh Mistry, was heartbroken: “She postponed her flight. If she had taken the original one, she would have been alive.”

For many families, grief has turned to frustration as they seek answers. Indian aviation officials recovered the plane’s second black box—the cockpit voice recorder—on Sunday, a critical step in determining the cause of the crash.

“The next step is to find out the reason for this accident. We need to know,” said Imtiyaz Ali, who is still awaiting confirmation of his brother’s death.

Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu stated on Saturday that analysis of the first black box, the flight data recorder, could provide insight into what caused the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to erupt into flames and crash into buildings used by medical staff.

Witnesses at the crash site described seeing charred bodies and scattered remains. In a grim turn, relatives have been advised not to open the coffins they receive. The emotional toll on families is immeasurable.

“It’s very sad work,” said Nilesh Vaghela, a local casket maker who was called in by Air India shortly after the disaster. “All these innocent people, small children… someone has to do it.”

The tragedy has had a profound impact beyond just those on the flight. Families who lost loved ones on the ground are equally devastated, with many homes in the crash zone destroyed or damaged. Dozens of workers in yellow hard hats continue the grim task of clearing debris from the site.

Air India faces increased scrutiny following the disaster. On Monday, another Dreamliner aircraft operated by the airline had to return to Hong Kong due to a technical issue. Though no injuries occurred, the incident has added to growing concerns about the safety of the airline’s fleet.

Indian authorities have ordered a full inspection of all Air India Dreamliners currently in operation. Families of the victims are demanding accountability and systemic changes to prevent future tragedies.

As the investigation unfolds, families across the world continue to wait—for answers, for closure, and for the return of their loved ones. The grief is raw, and the questions remain many. For now, all eyes are on officials to bring clarity and justice to those who have lost everything.

Source- Punch