Air India Begins ₹25 Lakh Compensation To Ahmedabad Crash Victims' Kin As DNA Identification Continues

Air India has commenced disbursing interim compensation of ₹25 lakh to the families of those who perished in the Ahmedabad crash, with three families having received the payment so far, the airline confirmed in a statement on Saturday.

This ₹25 lakh amount is in addition to the ₹1 crore (approximately £85,000) compensation that the Tata Sons group had announced shortly after the tragic incident.

Photo Credit: PTI

"Air India has also been reaching out to those who were injured and the families of those who lost their lives on the ground to initiate the compensation process for them," the statement added.

A total of 270 people lost their lives - including 241 on board the ill-fated flight and 29 individuals on the ground - when Air India flight A1171 crashed into the BJ Medical College Hostel in Ahmedabad on Thursday, 12 June.

Families Supported During DNA Identification

Air India further stated that families were being supported throughout hospital procedures, including the DNA identification of victims.

As of Saturday, 247 victims have been identified through DNA testing, and 232 bodies have been returned to relatives, officials told PTI.

Given that many of the bodies were either severely burnt or otherwise damaged, DNA testing is being used to establish the identity of those who died in the devastating crash.

Dr Rakesh Joshi, Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital - where the remains are being held - said the 247 identified victims include 187 Indians, 52 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian.

Of the 187 Indians, 175 were passengers on the aircraft, with the rest being people on the ground. The victims hailed from various parts of India, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Diu, and Nagaland.

DNA Identification Delays

Amid the ongoing identification efforts, eight bereaved families have been asked to submit DNA samples from another relative, as earlier samples failed to yield a match.

"Unless there is a match, bodies cannot be handed over to the kin," said Dr Rakesh Joshi, Medical Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, in a statement to PTI.

(With PTI inputs)