In a heart-wrenching ordeal, Jignesh Mistry, 72, has spent the last 72 hours anxiously awaiting news about his 22-year-old niece, one of the victims in the devastating Air India plane crash that occurred on Thursday. Since that fateful evening, he and his family have been tirelessly visiting the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, desperately seeking updates on their loved one. Despite initial assurances that the process of returning bodies would typically take 72 hours due to DNA matching, Jignesh has been informed that the timeline may extend, as the search for remains continues.
“When people are still missing, how can they possibly complete the DNA process by tomorrow?” Jignesh expressed. “What if my niece's remains have not even been found? The wait is killing us.” Despite his emotional plea, officials have remained tight-lipped regarding his claims. However, sources within the police and fire departments, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed to the BBC that efforts to locate the victims' remains are ongoing.
As of Saturday, Rajnish Patel, the additional superintendent of the Civil Hospital, reported that 11 victims had been identified through DNA samples, with their families being notified. The tragic incident involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that was en route to London’s Gatwick Airport when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s main airport, resulting in India’s deadliest aviation disaster. Out of 242 passengers and crew, only one individual survived the catastrophic event.
The plane's descent was further complicated when it struck a medical college hostel, leading to at least eight additional fatalities among individuals on the ground. In response to this calamity, the Indian government has initiated a high-level investigation and mandated inspections of all Boeing 787s operated by local airlines. While the cause of the crash remains undetermined, the country’s aviation authority is exploring every possible explanation and has enlisted foreign aviation experts to assist with the inquiry.
At the hospital, medical staff are racing against time to finalize DNA sampling for the victims, aiming to return the bodies to their grieving families. However, for families like Jignesh’s, each passing moment feels agonizing. Authorities acknowledge that the identification process is fraught with difficulties, as many remains are severely charred and often unidentifiable. HP Sanghvi, director of the Directorate of Forensic Sciences in Gandhinagar, emphasized the importance of accuracy in this process, stating, “We have to ensure that every family receives the right body.”
As the investigation unfolds, forensic experts are not only relying on DNA but also attempting to gather dental records from the charred remains, which may serve as the only viable source of identification. Jaishankar Pillai, a forensic dentist at the hospital, highlighted the challenges posed by the intense heat of the explosion, which may have compromised the DNA integrity of some victims.
The emotional strain is palpable among the families waiting for news. Many, like a woman accompanying her relatives outside the autopsy room, expressed that they are “in no condition to say anything.” Words failed her as she hurried back to her car, reflecting the heavy burden of uncertainty that hangs over the families.
In the vicinity of the crash site, officials at the BJ Medical College have begun clearing wards of the hostel that were directly affected, with several areas now vacated. A student, wishing to remain anonymous, remarked on the haunting silence left behind, as many of his peers have returned home, leaving behind just a handful of residents.
The tragedy has impacted numerous families, including that of Kartik Kalawadia, who last heard from his brother Mahesh just 30 minutes before the crash. Mahesh, a music producer, was on his way home from work when the plane plummeted into the buildings. Kartik lamented, “It’s like he vanished into thin air,” as he and his family continue to search for answers amidst their sorrow.
During a press conference, Civil Aviation Secretary SK Sinha acknowledged the profound difficulties faced over the past two days but reassured the public that the investigation is proceeding effectively. Yet, for families like Kartik’s, the hope of finding closure, whether it be the discovery of loved ones or answers about the tragedy, remains uncertain.
As the hours dwindle, the emotional turmoil deepens. Imtiyaz Ali Sayed, who initially resisted the notion that his family could be lost, is now grappling with acceptance. With the clock ticking, he reflects on the painful decision of where to lay his brother Javed to rest—whether in India or the UK, where his brother’s wife’s family resides. “To me, it makes no difference,” he shared, “because he's gone, from ashes to dust and back to God.”
