Ahmedabad (National Times): The identification of the body of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani remains inconclusive, days after the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI 171, authorities confirmed on Saturday.
Dr. Rajnish Patel, Additional Medical Superintendent at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, informed reporters that DNA matching is still in progress and Rupani’s remains have not yet been identified.
“We have not been able to match the DNA sample of the former Chief Minister so far. The identification process is ongoing. We will notify the media as soon as his body is positively identified,” said Dr. Patel.
Rupani was among the 241 victims aboard the ill-fated Boeing 787 aircraft, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12. The flight was en route to London’s Gatwick Airport with 242 individuals on board, including 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and two pilots.
Dr. Patel added that DNA matching has been completed for 31 victims, and 12 bodies have already been handed over to their respective families. “We are awaiting the arrival of more families to collect the remains of their loved ones,” he said.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the devastating crash has officially risen to 250, following the confirmation of additional fatalities earlier today. Among the deceased are four medical students from BJ Medical College and their relatives.
Dr. Dhaval Gameti, Vice President of FAIMA and President of the Junior Doctors Association at BJ Medical College, said, “Four of our medical students, along with several of their relatives, have tragically passed away in this crash. In total, nine lives have been lost among our community.”
He also provided an update on those injured: “Out of the 20 students who were admitted to the hospital following the crash, 11 have been discharged. Around eight to nine individuals are still undergoing treatment.”
As rescue and identification efforts continue, authorities remain focused on supporting the victims’ families and providing medical care to survivors of one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory.
