For Mistry Jignesh, the past 72 hours have felt like a lifetime. His 22-year-old niece was one of the 242 people who died in the tragic Air India plane crash on Thursday. Since then, he and his family have been visiting Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital every day, hoping to get information or her body.
Authorities had promised to return the body within 72 hours after DNA testing, which would end by Sunday. But on Saturday, officials told him it might take longer, as many bodies are still missing from the crash site.
Mr Jignesh said, “If they haven’t even found her body yet, how can they complete DNA testing? This wait is unbearable.”
While officials did not respond to his claims, some anonymous sources from the fire and police departments confirmed that the search for bodies is still ongoing.
Rajnish Patel, a hospital official, said that only 11 victims had been identified through DNA testing so far, and their families were informed.
The crash involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flying to London’s Gatwick Airport. It caught fire and crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, making it one of India’s worst air disasters. Only one person on the plane survived. The crash also killed eight people on the ground, as the plane hit a medical college hostel in a crowded area.
Since then, the Indian government has launched a major investigation and ordered inspections of all Boeing 787 aircraft operated in India. Experts from other countries are also helping with the inquiry.
At the hospital, doctors are working hard to complete DNA testing so that bodies can be returned to families. But it’s a slow and difficult process, as many bodies were badly burned and are hard to identify. Officials are taking extra care to avoid any mix-up.
HP Sanghvi, the head of the Forensic Sciences Directorate, explained that extreme heat may have damaged the DNA of many victims, which is slowing down the process. Forensic dentist Jaishankar Pillai said they are also using dental records to help identify remains.
Families are heartbroken and tired. Many didn’t want to talk to the media, saying they just want to take their loved ones home.
At BJ Medical College, several hostel wards near the crash site have been cleared out. Many students living in nearby rooms have also gone home, scared and shaken by what happened.
Kartik Kalawadia is one of many still searching for loved ones. His brother Mahesh, a music producer, was last heard from 30 minutes before the crash. He was on his way home and near the crash site. The family has checked with the hospital and searched for his scooter, but found nothing. “It’s like he vanished,” said Mr Kalawadia.
At a press conference, Civil Aviation Secretary SK Sinha admitted that the past few days had been very difficult, but said the investigation is going well.
Still, Mr Kalawadia wonders if it will ever give him the answers he needs.
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Back at the hospital, families like that of Imtiyaz Ali Sayed continue to wait. His brother Javed, along with his wife and two children, were on the plane. On Thursday night, Imtiyaz was still in denial. But by Saturday, he had begun to accept reality.
“We’re just deciding whether to bury him here or in the UK,” he said. “It doesn’t matter much now. He’s gone – from ashes to dust and back to God.”
