Ahmedabad plane crash: 247 victims identified through DNA tests; 232 bodies given to kin

A total of 247 victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash have been identified through DNA tests so far and 232 bodies have been handed over to their families, officials said on Saturday.

The authorities have asked the families of eight victims to submit the DNA samples of another relative as the previous ones failed to match, they said.

In Maharashtra, relatives and friends gave an emotional farewell to Deepak Pathak and Irfan Shaikh — two crew members of the flight — at Badlapur in Thane district and in Pimpri-Chinchwad near Pune, respectively.

“Till Saturday evening, 247 DNA samples have matched. Relatives of these deceased were contacted. So far, mortal remains of 232 victims have been handed over to families. The process is continuing,” Ahmedabad Civil Hospital Medical superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi said.

The victims who have been identified comprise 187 Indians, 52 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals and a Canadian, he said. Of the 187 Indians, a total of 175 were on board the aircraft, he said, adding they belong to areas in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Diu and Nagaland.

“Unless there is a match, bodies cannot be handed over to the kin. When there is no match for a longer period of time, then you can ask another sample from another relative. If one sibling has given the sample, then a sample of another sibling is sought for matching the DNA with that of the victim. We generally prefer a sample of father or son/daughter. If not, then we take a sample of another available member,” Joshi added.

On Friday, he had said since the DNA matching process is highly sensitive and involves legal protocols; it is being conducted with utmost seriousness and speed. To ensure that families receive the bodies of their loved ones quickly, Forensic Science University, along with associated institutions, local administrative authorities, the state government’s health and other departments, and various agencies are working tirelessly.

The police said through the matching of DNA samples, it has been confirmed that filmmaker Jirawala, who was reported missing following the crash, died in the catastrophe. His mortal remains were handed over to his family.

Jirawala, 34, was passing by from the area on his two-wheeler just when the plane plunged into the hostel complex, an official said.

Joint Commissioner of Police, Sector 2, Jaipalsinh Rathore, said his family members were still in disbelief. “To clear his family’s doubts, we collected CCTV footage of that area to establish that he was indeed using that route for some time. His last mobile location was last traced close to the accident site,” the officer added.