Last Victim of Air India Plane Crash Identified by DNA Test

Photo:Reuters

The final unidentified victim of the tragic Air India AI171 plane crash in Ahmedabad has now been identified, bringing closure to one more grieving family. This was done with the help of a DNA test, which matched the remains with the family of the missing person.

What Happened in the Crash?
The Air India flight AI171 crashed earlier this year near Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It was one of the most heartbreaking accidents in recent times. The crash led to the deaths of many people, including passengers and crew members. Rescue teams worked day and night to recover the bodies from the wreckage.

While most of the victims were identified within days, one body remained unnamed. The remains were too badly damaged for a regular identification. So, authorities had to depend on DNA testing, a process that takes time but is very accurate.

Who Was the Last Victim?
The last victim was Sureshbhai Patel, a 56-year-old man who was traveling on that flight. His family had already reported him missing after the crash, but they had no confirmation about his fate. The wait for them was long and painful.

The DNA sample taken from the unidentified body was matched with a sample from Mr. Patel’s family. The result confirmed his identity. After the match, the authorities informed the family, and the body was handed over to them for final rites.

What Is DNA Testing?
DNA testing is a scientific method used to find out a person’s identity. Every person’s DNA is unique. In cases where a body is badly damaged and cannot be recognized by face or fingerprints, a DNA test is used. A small sample is taken from the remains and compared with a family member’s DNA.

In this case, it helped solve the mystery of the last unknown passenger in the crash.

Officials Share Their Thoughts
Police and other rescue officials said they were relieved that all the victims had now been identified. “It’s very important for families to know the truth and get their loved ones back,” one officer said.

The airport authorities and airline staff also expressed their sadness over the loss of lives but said that the identification of all victims brings a small sense of peace and respect for the dead.