The official death toll in the tragic Air India plane crash that occurred in Ahmedabad earlier this month has been revised to 260, down from the previously reported 270. This updated figure was confirmed by authorities on Saturday, June 28, 2025, following the successful DNA identification of the final victim, whose remains have now been handed over to the grieving family. This meticulous process brings a grim but necessary closure to the identification phase of the victims of the devastating aviation disaster.
The Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Dr. Rakesh Joshi, provided this crucial update, stating, “The DNA matching of the last victim of the Air India plane crash has been completed. The body of the victim has been handed over to their family members.” He further added, “With this, the death toll in the plane crash has now reached 260.” The detailed and painstaking DNA identification process was vital due to the horrific nature of the accident, which left many remains severely burned and difficult to identify visually.
The Devastating Ahmedabad Air India Crash
The horrific incident occurred on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad. An Air India flight bound for London crashed into the campus of a medical college in the Meghani Nagar area shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The impact was catastrophic, leading to immediate fatalities among those on board and within the college premises.
The revised total of 260 fatalities includes:
- 241 passengers and crew members who were on board the ill-fated aircraft.
- 19 individuals who were present within the medical college campus at the time of the crash and were caught in the impact.
Tragically, out of the 241 passengers and crew, only one person miraculously survived the crash. The sole survivor of this devastating aircraft accident has been identified as Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British citizen. His survival against such overwhelming odds is truly remarkable.
DNA Identification Process: A Race Against Time
Identifying the victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash presented an unprecedented challenge for medical and forensic teams. Many of the bodies were so severely burned that traditional identification methods were impossible. Consequently, authorities had to rely heavily on DNA testing, matching samples from the remains with those provided by family members.
Dr. Joshi confirmed that out of the 241 passengers and crew, the remains of 240 had already been identified and matched with their families previously. The final identification on Friday, June 27, 2025, through DNA sample matching, completed this arduous task. The efficiency of this process is commendable; in such large-scale disasters, matching DNA samples with family members can often take months. However, in the case of the Air India plane crash, the identification of samples was completed in approximately two weeks, demonstrating the dedicated efforts of the forensic teams and government agencies involved.
As of June 23, authorities had confirmed the identification of 259 victims. The final identification on June 27 completed the list, bringing the revised total to 260. The government released a statement detailing the nationalities of the victims:
- 200 Indian citizens, comprising 181 passengers and 19 victims from the medical college campus.
- 7 Portuguese citizens
- 52 British citizens
- 1 Canadian citizen
This international composition of victims underscores the global impact of the tragedy and the immense coordination required for identification and repatriation efforts.
Ongoing Medical Care for the Injured
Amidst the focus on fatalities and identification, it is also important to remember those who sustained injuries in the crash. Dr. Rakesh Joshi stated that three injured patients are currently undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. Their recovery remains a priority for the medical staff.
The swift and coordinated response of emergency services, medical personnel, and administrative bodies since the day of the crash has been critical in managing the aftermath. This has included immediate rescue operations, transfer of the injured to hospitals, preservation of crash sites, and the complex process of victim identification.
Impact on Aviation Safety and Future Investigations
While the focus now shifts to the meticulous investigation of the crash’s causes, the human tragedy remains paramount. The revised death toll and the completion of victim identification bring a measure of closure to the affected families, allowing them to proceed with final rites and begin the long process of healing.
The ongoing investigation by aviation safety authorities will aim to determine the precise factors that led to this catastrophic accident. This will involve analyzing flight recorders (black boxes), examining wreckage, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing maintenance records. The findings of this investigation will be crucial for implementing necessary changes in aviation protocols and enhancing safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad is a somber reminder of the inherent risks in air travel and the profound impact such events have on communities and nations. The coordinated and compassionate response in identifying and returning victims’ remains, even under challenging circumstances, demonstrates a collective commitment to honoring those lost and supporting their families.
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