The Gujarat Health Department on Thursday confirmed that DNA identification has been completed for 220 victims of the recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, with families of all identified individuals successfully contacted. As of 11:45 am on June 20, 202 of these bodies had been formally returned to their relatives.
Among those repatriated are 151 Indian citizens, 34 British nationals, seven individuals from Portugal, one Canadian, and nine others believed to have been locals. Of the total mortal remains returned, 15 were sent via air, while 187 were transported by ambulance to various destinations.
Health Minister Rushikesh Patel shared the latest information on social media platform X, assuring that the remaining bodies would be released soon after due procedures and verification.
The fatal crash involved Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. On June 12, the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 individuals aboard, including passengers and crew members. The crash site, located on the city&rsquo;s outskirts, also resulted in fatalities among people on the ground, including medical students housed in a nearby hostel building.
Due to the severe condition of many bodies, with several being badly charred upon impact, DNA testing was necessary for confirmation. Forensic experts, disaster response personnel, and state authorities have continued efforts to manage identification, coordinate handovers, and support the bereaved.&nbsp;
An investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is underway, with early indications pointing to a possible engine failure, although the exact cause is yet to be established through an in-depth probe with international aviation bodies.
Air India Implements Temporary Suspension and Reductions on International Routes
In the wake of the accident, Air India has introduced a temporary scale-down of its wide-body international services. The airline has announced that operations involving long-range aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 would be cut by 15 per cent until at least mid-July. This move follows enhanced safety checks ordered after the crash and complications arising from airspace restrictions in West Asia, as well as night curfews at several airports in Europe and East Asia.
Three international routes have been suspended as part of the adjustment: Amritsar to London Gatwick, Goa (Mopa) to London Gatwick, and Delhi to Nairobi, the latter until June 30.
Additionally, the frequency of flights will be reduced across 18 international routes. North American services from Delhi to Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington Dulles will see significant scaling down. In Europe, reductions include Delhi to London Heathrow, Paris, Milan, Copenhagen, Vienna, Amsterdam, and Birmingham; Bengaluru to London Heathrow; and Amritsar to Birmingham.
Australian routes between Delhi and both Melbourne and Sydney will be affected, as will East Asian services from Delhi to Tokyo Haneda and Seoul Incheon. The Delhi&ndash;Seoul service will operate three times a week until July 5, increasing to four thereafter.
A statement from the airline clarified, &ldquo;The reductions arise from the decision to voluntarily undertake enhanced pre-flight safety checks, as well as accommodate additional flight durations arising from airspace closures in the Middle East. The objective is to restore schedule stability and minimise last-minute inconvenience to passengers.&rdquo;
On Wednesday, Air India reported that safety inspections had been completed on 26 of its 33 Boeing 787 aircraft, with all cleared for continued operations. The DGCA confirmed on Tuesday that recent surveillance of the airline&rsquo;s 787 fleet revealed no major safety lapses, and both the aircraft and maintenance systems were found to be in line with safety norms.
As a precaution, Air India stated it would continue comprehensive pre-flight safety checks not only on its Boeing 787s but also across its Boeing 777 fleet. The airline has expressed regret to affected customers and is actively contacting them to offer re-accommodation on alternative flights, no-cost rescheduling options, or full refunds according to individual preferences.
&nbsp;

Bodies of 202 victims returned as Air India cuts global routes amid ongoing safety inspections.

Air India Crash: 220 Identified, Flights Scaled Down

Bodies of 202 victims returned as Air India cuts global routes amid ongoing safety inspections.

June 20, 2025 | 18:54 IST