Air India plane crash: DNA match confirmed for 162 victims, 120 bodies handed over to families

NEW DELHI: Authorities have confirmed that DNA samples of 162 victims from the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad have matched with their family members, and the mortal remains of 120 have been handed over, officials said Tuesday.Earlier on Monday, Gujarat minister Harsh Sanghavi had announced that DNA of 125 victims had been successfully matched and families of 124 deceased had been contacted. He visited the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Gandhinagar, where the identification process is underway.The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a hostel complex minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, killing 241 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The aircraft had 242 people on board; only one passenger, identified as Vishwas, survived.Ahmedabad Civil Hospital Superintendent Rakesh Joshi said Vishwas is now stable and recovering slowly. He also confirmed that four students from BJ Medical College lost their lives in the crash, and that toll remains unchanged.One of the victims, Kumar, a British national of Indian origin, was seated by the window near the emergency exit in row 11, officials said.The funeral of former CM Rupani was held on Monday in Rajkot with full state honours. His son, Rushabh Rupani, performed the last rites in the presence of top political leaders, including Union home minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.