Air India Crash: Vijay Rupani Identified Through DNA, Last Rites to Be Performed in Rajkot

National News: On Sunday morning, the body of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was formally identified through DNA testing. He was one of the 241 passengers killed in the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight 171. Officials said his DNA matched at 11:10 a.m., after which his body was handed over to the family. This confirmation added a high-profile name to the list of victims. Rupani was on his way to London to visit his daughter. Authorities confirmed his death after thorough forensic analysis, marking a moment of national mourning.

 32 DNA Matches Verified So Far

According to Additional Civil Superintendent Dr. Rajnish Patel, 32 victims have now been identified using DNA testing. The victims hailed from various regions including Udaipur, Mehsana, Ahmedabad, Kheda, Botad, Aravalli, and Vadodara. Fourteen victims’ remains have been returned to their families so far. Because many bodies were severely charred and unrecognisable, standard identification methods could not be used. Authorities are handling the process with great care and urgency. Emphasis is being placed on treating the deceased with dignity while ensuring their timely handover to relatives.

230 Teams Deployed to Support Families

To support grieving families, nearly 230 coordination teams have been deployed by authorities in Ahmedabad. Their role includes constant communication, counseling, and logistical help for affected families. The crash, which occurred just minutes after takeoff, resulted in 270 deaths. The ill-fated Flight 171, heading to London’s Gatwick Airport, struck a hostel building at BJ Medical College. Rescue teams arrived within minutes, but the scale of devastation was overwhelming. Gujarat and Rajasthan are mourning the heavy loss of life from the tragedy.

Only One Survivor in Deadliest Air Disaster

A total of 242 people were onboard Air India Flight 171, including 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and 2 pilots. Among them, only one person survived—a British national of Indian origin seated near the emergency exit at 11A. He is currently hospitalized with injuries. Former CM Vijay Rupani was travelling in business class on the same flight. A total of 241 onboard deaths, along with 29 on the ground, have made this one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory.