Families Await Closure Following Tragic Air India Crash

Families of Air India crash victims are awaiting the return of their loved ones’ remains, with many suffering from uncertainty and grief. As of now, officials have identified some victims through DNA, but challenges remain due to damaged remains. The crash investigation is ongoing, with the Indian government ordering thorough inspections of Boeing 787s.

A tragic wait for answers grips families of victims from the recent Air India crash. Jignesh Mistry, 72, has spent the last three days at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, searching for news about his 22-year-old niece, one of the 242 passengers killed when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner tragically caught fire shortly after takeoff. Initially told that the DNA identification process would conclude by Sunday, he grew anxious after officials informed him it may take longer. “The wait is killing us,” Jignesh said, expressing his heartbreak.

While officials remained tight-lipped regarding Mr. Mistry’s claims, a fire department officer and a police source, both speaking anonymously, confirmed that remains are still being sought at the crash site. Additional Superintendent of Civil Hospital Rajnish Patel announced that eleven victims had been identified through their DNA. The crash, which marked India’s worst aviation disaster, also resulted in eight fatalities as the plane struck a nearby medical college hostel.

In light of the incident, the Indian government launched an extensive investigation and mandated inspections for all Boeing 787s operated by local carriers. The aviation authority has not determined a cause for the crash but is collaborating with foreign experts to explore all possibilities. Back at the hospital, medical staff are racing against time to complete DNA sampling so families can reclaim their loved ones’ remains.

Nevertheless, as families like Mr. Mistry’s await news, each second seems to linger painfully. HP Sanghvi, director of the Directorate of Forensic Sciences in Gandhinagar, explained the challenges in identifying remains, as many have been charred beyond recognition and issues with degraded DNA from the crash temperature complicate matters. Meanwhile, forensics specialists are resorting to gathering dental records for identification, as these may be the last sources of viable DNA.

Many family members have understandably opted to stay quiet, overwhelmed by grief. One woman waiting outside the autopsy room hastily remarked, “Words fail us right now.” In nearby BJ Medical College, where the plane struck, wards have begun to clear as students vacate the area; however, memories of the crash still loom heavily.

Among the victims’ family members is Kartik Kalawadia, who last heard from his brother, Mahesh, just half an hour before the crash. Mahesh, a music producer, was crossing the area when disaster struck. “It’s like he vanished into thin air,” Kartik lamented, reflecting on his exhaustive search and failed attempts to trace his brother’s scooter.

Civil Aviation Secretary SK Sinha acknowledged that the last couple of days have been “very hard”, but he believes the investigation is progressing positively. Yet, Mr. Kalawadia is left wondering if it will yield any answers for him, whether his brother is found alive or dead.

The turmoil of uncertainty persists for families at the hospital. When the BBC last spoke with Imtiyaz Ali Sayed, he was still grappling with disbelief about the loss of his brother Javed and his family. However, by Saturday, he appeared to be inching closer to acceptance. “To me, it makes no difference you know? Because he’s gone, from ashes to dust and back to God,” he stated, contemplating their next steps regarding burial arrangements.

In summary, the families of those lost in the Air India crash face painful uncertainty as they await information regarding their loved ones’ remains. While the Indian government has ordered an investigation and local inspections of Boeing 787s, grieving families remain in anguish, with many struggling to find closure in the wake of this tragedy. The agonizing search for answers and the identification of victims continues as the community mourns this devastating loss.

Original Source: www.bbc.com