Ahmedabad: Ten days after the devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed nearly 270 lives, eight families are still waiting to receive the remains of their loved ones. While most victims have been identified through DNA testing and their bodies handed over, the families of eight victims have been asked to submit DNA samples from another relative after initial samples failed to yield a match.
Authorities said the mismatch in the first round of DNA testing has necessitated new samples to complete the identification process. “When there is no match for a longer period of time, then you can ask another sample from another relative. If one sibling has given the sample then a sample of another sibling is sought for matching the DNA with those of the victim,” explained Ahmedabad Civil Hospital Civil Superintendent Dr. Rakesh Joshi.
“We generally prefer a sample of father or son/daughter. If not, then we take a sample of another available member,” he added. Dr. Joshi clarified that in several cases, DNA samples from siblings have successfully matched with the victims. According to officials, there are at least eight such cases where the initial samples failed to match, prompting the request for new samples from additional relatives.
“Till Saturday evening, 247 DNA samples have matched. Relatives of these deceased were contacted. So far, mortal remains of 232 victims have been handed over to families. The process is continuing,” said Dr. Joshi.
Among the 247 identified victims are 187 Indian nationals, 52 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. Of the Indians, 175 were on board the ill-fated aircraft, with others among those impacted on the ground. The passengers hailed from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Diu, and Nagaland.
The state government had earlier confirmed that DNA samples from 250 individuals, both passengers and those on the ground, were collected for identification purposes.
Meanwhile, police confirmed that filmmaker Jirawala, 34, was among the victims, identified through DNA testing. An official said Jirawala had been passing by the crash site on his two-wheeler when the London-bound plane crashed into the hostel complex.
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