Authorities have announced that DNA tests will be conducted to identify the victims of the tragic Air India plane crash that occurred near Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon. The London-bound flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after take-off, claiming the lives of all 242 people on board.
Of the 230 passengers, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were British citizens, seven were Portuguese, and one was Canadian. The remaining 12 included two pilots and 10 cabin crew members.
Due to the severe nature of the crash and the condition of the remains, officials confirmed that identification through physical means is not possible in many cases. “DNA testing is the only reliable method in this situation, and we are working with forensic teams to begin the process as quickly as possible,” said a senior official involved in the operation.
In response to the disaster, Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced a compensation package of ₹1 crore for the families of each deceased passenger.
Rescue operations continued through the night as authorities and emergency services coordinated efforts to retrieve remains, gather evidence, and support grieving families. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other national agencies are carrying out a detailed investigation into the cause of the crash.