Ahmedabad Air India Crash: DNA Identification Underway as India Mourns

A heartbreaking tragedy struck India on Thursday when an Air India flight bound for London crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. This is being called the country’s most devastating air disaster in nearly three decades.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members, when it went down at around 1:38 PM. The aircraft crashed into the dormitory area of BJ Medical College in the busy Meghani Nagar locality, at a time when many students were gathered for lunch.

The crash sparked a massive fire due to the large quantity of jet fuel on board — more than 1.25 lakh litres — leading to severe burns and extensive damage. Rescue workers, medical teams, and emergency responders rushed to the site as plumes of smoke rose over the city.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the crash site the next day. He held a high-level meeting with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and other top officials to oversee relief and rescue efforts.

Shah confirmed that there were 230 passengers and 12 crew members on board, including international travelers. As of now, the exact number of casualties has not been officially announced. Though unconfirmed, officials expect the casualty toll to be significant, given the impact zone and intensity of the fire.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have initiated a joint probe into the cause of the crash. Black box recovered.

Identifying the Victims: A Difficult but Necessary Process

The crash and resulting fire have made many of the bodies difficult or impossible to identify. To support grieving families, the Gujarat Health and Family Welfare Department has set up DNA collection and testing facilities at BJ Medical College.

More than 200 DNA samples have already been collected. Some came from remains at the crash site, while others were submitted by family members who travelled from across India and overseas, hoping for answers.

Authorities at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital confirmed that DNA matching has so far identified 47 victims, and the mortal remains of 24 individuals have already been returned to grieving families. Most of the identified victims were from Rajasthan and various parts of Gujarat, according to Dr. Rajnish Patel, Head of Surgery at the hospital.

Officials estimate that DNA testing will take up to 72 hours for each case. Families of passengers who are still abroad have been contacted, and their samples will be collected once they arrive in India.

A dedicated team of forensic experts is working around the clock to complete the identification process. The work has been taken up on a war footing by Gandhinagar’s Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). FSL Director H. P. Sanghvi explained that DNA extraction, particularly from charred remains such as bones and teeth, is a time-intensive and intricate process.

The samples are first cleaned and ground into powder before undergoing DNA extraction at controlled temperatures using specialized equipment. The extracted DNA is then evaluated for quality and quantity using RT-PCR machines. Only those samples that meet stringent quality standards are sequenced further to produce a full DNA profile.

If a sample fails to show sufficient DNA alleles, the entire process must be repeated. For identification to be confirmed, at least 23 alleles must match between the victim and their relative. In specific cases, such as father-son identifications, Y-chromosome analysis is also conducted.

Among the identified victims is Gujarat’s former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose remains were matched through this exhaustive process.

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi paid tribute to the 36-member forensic team for their extraordinary commitment. He shared that some team members are working despite immense personal hardships. One expert continues with testing while his mother is critically ill and awaiting surgery. Eight women scientists on the team are mothers of children aged three years or less, yet they have set aside their family responsibilities to remain at the lab. Sanghavi called their service a profound example of professionalism and selflessness in the face of tragedy.

Why DNA Testing Matters in Air Disasters

In tragic air crashes, especially when there is fire or impact damage, it becomes incredibly hard to identify victims using traditional methods. This is where DNA testing becomes crucial.

DNA, the unique genetic code inside our cells, can still be extracted from bones, teeth, or tissues, even after exposure to heat and debris. Forensic teams then compare this DNA with samples from relatives or personal belongings like hairbrushes or toothbrushes.

This method, known as DNA profiling, brings certainty to families looking for answers. It helps officials issue death certificates, process insurance claims, and give loved ones the closure they deserve. In some cases, DNA also provides insights into where passengers were seated or how injuries occurred, helping investigators piece together what happened in the final moments.

Interpol and other forensic authorities recommend DNA analysis as the gold standard for victim identification in mass disasters, due to its reliability even when other physical characteristics are unrecognizable. ^[1]

While it can be slow and emotionally draining, DNA identification is one of the most reliable ways to honour those lost and support their grieving families.

Reference:

1. Interpol. Disaster Victim Identification Guide: DNA Analysis in Mass Fatality Incidents. Lyon: Interpol, 2020. https://www.interpol.int/en/Crimes/Disaster-Victim-Identification-DVI

(Input From Various Sources)

(Rehash/Dr. Hansini Bhaskaran/MSM)