Indian forensic investigators have confirmed the identities of all 260 individuals who lost their lives in last month’s tragic crash of a London-bound passenger plane, according to health authorities. This announcement comes as the public awaits a highly anticipated preliminary report detailing the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India is at the forefront of the investigation into a catastrophic air disaster, one of the most severe in recent decades. An initial report is anticipated to be released on Friday.
On June 12, a tragic incident occurred involving an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, resulting in the deaths of 241 out of the 242 individuals on board.
A plane crashed into residential areas shortly after taking off in the western city of Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of 19 individuals on the ground, according to authorities.
Details regarding the investigation remain undisclosed, with participation from both British and US air accident investigation agencies.
Specialist website The Air Current has reported, citing multiple sources familiar with the investigation, that it has “narrowed its focus to the movement of the engine fuel switches.” The report also indicates that a complete analysis will “take months — if not longer.”
The statement indicated that “the focus of the investigators could change during that time.”
At this stage of the investigation, the information accessible to investigators does not suggest any mechanical or design problems with the 787 aircraft or its engines.
The report stated that its sources “indicated that post-accident analysis showed no sign of fuel contamination or improper retraction of the aircraft’s flaps,” addressing the speculation that had arisen around these issues.
All DNA has been matched.
Health officials in Gujarat, India, initially reported a death toll of at least 279 individuals. However, forensic scientists later revised this number following the identification of multiple scattered and severely charred remains.
On Wednesday, Rakesh Joshi, the head of Ahmedabad’s main state hospital, confirmed to AFP that the final death toll in the plane crash has reached 260.
Joshi confirmed that all human remains recovered from the crash site have been identified and returned to their families.
“We have now completed our work,” he stated. “DNA from all the mortal remains collected at the crash site has been successfully matched.”
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a specialised agency of the United Nations, mandates that countries conducting investigations must submit a preliminary report within 30 days following an accident.
The report, however, is not required to be made public.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) states that preliminary reports can either be designated as confidential or made public, depending on the decision of the investigating state.
Joshi expressed scepticism regarding the likelihood of discovering any additional remains within the wreckage.
“I believe the possibility is nearly negligible,” he stated.
On Tuesday, health authorities returned the remains of 26 victims to their families. For those who had previously received portions of their deceased relatives’ bodies and conducted funerals, ceremonies were held in their honour.
“Seven families retrieved the remains of their loved ones… while 19 families granted permission to the hospital to proceed with the rites,” Joshi stated.
A total of 230 individuals were aboard, comprising 169 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, in addition to 12 crew members.
Numerous individuals sustained injuries, with two currently hospitalised.
A single passenger emerged from the wreckage of the crash, a British citizen who has since been released from the hospital after the harrowing incident.
