DNA Tests Of 163 Ahmedabad Plane Crash Victims Done, 124 Bodies Handed Over To Families

The city of Ahmedabad is still reeling from the horror of the Air India plane crash that took 270 lives. In the midst of heartbreak, a slow but vital process is bringing some closure to grieving families.

Authorities have now identified 163 victims through DNA testing-a task made necessary because many bodies were so badly burned that visual recognition was impossible. Of those identified, 124 families have received the remains of their loved ones and have begun the final rites.

At the heart of the recovery efforts is Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where Dr. Rakesh Joshi and his team are working around the clock. "It's not just science," he says. "It's about giving people back a part of what they lost."

Among the injured, nine remain under treatment, while two sadly passed away in the hospital. There has also been misinformation. Some reports claimed more students from BJ Medical College had died. Dr. Joshi clarified: only four students were among the dead, and two doctors-one a flight passenger, another a visitor-also lost their lives.

The crash occurred on June 12, moments after the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. It slammed into the BJ Medical College complex, killing nearly everyone onboard-241 out of 242 passengers and crew. The ground impact killed 29 more.

On Sunday, investigators recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder, a key piece of the plane's black box. Hopes now rest on the information it contains-clues that could explain what caused such a devastating event.

DNA identification is expected to finish by Wednesday morning.