DNA profiling of 260 air crash victims completed after 17 days

Seventeen days after the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, the DNA profiling of all victims has been completed. The last pending identification was of Anil Khimani, a 32-year-old passenger from Bhuj. With his DNA now matched, his body has been handed over to his family. This brings the total number of bodies returned to families to 260.

DNA profiling began the same night of the plane crash. The first body was handed over on June 14. Khimani’s DNA match had taken longer than others, and officials had requested additional time for the process. His family had even urged authorities to investigate the crash site again if identification couldn’t be made. However, on Friday night, his DNA match was confirmed and the body was released.

With this, the official death toll from the Ahmedabad plane crash stands at 260. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said that DNA profiling has now been completed for all passengers and crew involved in the June 12 plane crash. In total, identification of 260 deceased has been made — 254 (241 passengers and 13 non passengers) through DNA tests and 6 through facial recognition. All identified bodies have been returned to their respective families.

Among the 260 identified victims:

181 were Indian citizens

7 were from Portugal

52 were British nationals

1 was Canadian

19 were non-passengers

Out of the 260 bodies handed over:

31 were transported by air

229 by road

The highest number of victims were from Ahmedabad (73), followed by Anand (29).

Special arrangements to preserve bodies for extended periods

A state-of-the-art post-mortem and mortuary centre was set up at Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. It included specialised storage rooms with HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems to preserve bodies for extended periods, while also allowing simultaneous forensic and post-mortem procedures. These facilities are equipped to handle highly septic bodies and cases requiring strict precautions like Covid protocols.

Average of 20 bodies handed over daily

The process of handing over bodies began on June 14 and concluded late at night on June 27. On an average, around 20 bodies were handed over to families each day following DNA profiling.

Where were the deceased from?