Mortal remains of former Gujarat CM RUPUI, more than 40 victims identified by DNA profiling; Air India contacts family members of all victims

SDRF and police staff perform a search operation on the Air India AI-171 flight crash site, in Ahmedabad on June 15, 2025. | Photocredit: x/@dgpgujarat via ani photo

Authorities of the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad had already identified 47 victims of the aircraft of Air India by DNA profiling on Sunday (15 June 2025), with 24 bodies already transferred to mourning families, while the airline had made contact with the relatives of all passengers and crews.

More than 400 family members have reached the city, said civil servants.

The mortal remains of the former Gujarat Prime Minister Vijay Ruprui, who was on board the fateful flight, were identified by DNA samples, confirmed Rushikesh Patel Minister of Health. “The body has been identified and we coordinate with the family to transport its mortal remains to Rajkot,” said Mr. Patel. RUPII’s son, Rishabh RUPUAN, had submitted his DNA monster on Saturday (June 14, 2025).

The minister also announced that the funeral of the former minister President on Monday (16 June 2025) in Rajkot will be held with complete honor. “Minister -President BhUpendra Patel informed the Vijay Ruprui family as soon as the DNA competition confirmation was received,” said Mr. Patel. “The family receives his mortal remains of the civil hospital at 11.30 am on Monday (June 16, 2025). The body will then be flown to Rajkot and arrive there at 2 p.m.

“So far, a total of 47 victims have been matched by DNA tests, and 24 bodies have been brought back to their families, most of them from Rajasthan and various parts of Gujarat,” said the hospital’s head. Head of surgery Dr. Rajnish Patel, which adds that DNA matching was still underway for various victims.

The State Forensic Science Laboratory Unit and the National Forensic Sciences University Team are working on more DNA monsters.

Read also | What India was looking for after the aircraft crash from Air India: a digital reflection of collective anxiety

A total of 242 people passengers and crew on the London Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner were when it crashed a few minutes after taking off Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday (12 June 2025) afternoon. Only one passenger survived the accident. In addition to those on board, several people on the ground, including MBBS students in a university host, were killed in the incident.

In a post on X, Tata ownership Air India stated that every affected family has been assigned at least one caregiver to offer personalized help. “The solemn process of handing over the mortal remains and their personal effects to the relatives are underway. Air India works closely with the authorities and will help with the movement from Gujarat and repatriation initiatives,” said it.

Air India gratefully expressed the central and national governments for their support, as well as to the staff of the civil hospital of Ahmedabad and the Rajasthan Hospital for their tireless efforts. “Air India remains completely cooperative with the current investigation led by the authorities and will continue to provide updates as the verified information becomes available. Friends and family members at assistance centers remain operational on Ahmedabad and Mumbai Airports to support families looking for information,” said it.

To support grieving families and streamlining identification and logistics, the authorities have deployed 230 teams throughout the country and coordinated with foreign missions, because many of the victims were strangers.

Earlier on Saturday (14 June 2025), Alok Kumar Pandey, aid commissioner and secretary, the state income department, had contacted the families of 11 aliens.

“A total of 230 teams have been formed to make contact and transfer the mortal remains to the families. We started to transfer the bodies today,” he said. Mr. Pandey added that the victims from Gujarat from 18 districts appeared and that the administration was also in contact with diplomats from other countries.

He said that death certificates were issued on site to prevent the discomfort for the families. “Every body will be accompanied to his birthplace in an ambulance with police protection. Mourning advisers are also provided to help families treat the trauma,” he added.