AI 171 crash: Samples of 210 victims matched, 187 mortal remains released: Gujarat minister

NEW DELHI: A week after the deadly Air India crash that took place in Ahmedabad, DNA samples of 210 victims had been matched with their families and 187 mortal remains had been released, announced Gujarat Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education Rushikesh Patel on Thursday.

In a post on social media X, Patel wrote “UPDATED UP TO :- 19/06/2025, 8:30 a.m. NO. OF DNA MATCH – 210 NO. OF RELATIVES CONTACTED- 210 NO. OF MORTAL RELEASED- 187 Remaining Mortal remains will be handed over soon.”

Summary of Mortal Remains

UPDATED UP TO :- 19/06/2025 , 8:30 a.m.

NO. OF DNA MATCH – 210

NO. OF RELATIVES CONTACTED- 210

NO. OF MORTAL RELEASED- 187

Remaining Mortal remains will be handed over soon.

— Rushikesh Patel (@irushikeshpatel) June 19, 2025

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation released new draft rules to tighten control over structures that pose a risk to aircraft safety. The draft, titled Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions) Rules, 2025, was issued on June 18 and will come into force once published in the Official Gazette.

#WATCH | Air India Plane Crash | Ahmedabad Civil Hospital Superintendent Rakesh Joshi says, “211 (DNA) samples have been matched. All other samples are being verified… The administration is trying its best. As soon as the report comes, the families will be called immediately.… pic.twitter.com/D95zDMjYiy

— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2025

The rules aim to give authorities the power to take prompt action against buildings and trees that exceed height limits in designated aerodrome zones. This is seen as a proactive step to prevent potential accidents caused by obstructions in flight paths.

“Where any notification has been issued by the Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 18 of the Act and the officer-in-charge of the concerned aerodrome has reason to believe that any building or tree exists in violation of the provisions of the aforesaid notification, he shall serve a copy of the notification on the owner of the building or tree, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedure laid down in sub-section (3) of said section,” the draft reads.

Under the draft, any structure found violating the prescribed height limits may be served a notice by the officer-in-charge of an aerodrome. Owners must submit detailed information – including structure dimensions and site plans – within sixty days. Failure to comply could result in enforcement action, including demolition or height reduction.

“The officer-in-charge of the concerned aerodrome shall forthwith send a report of such violation to the Director General, or any officer authorised by him in this behalf,” it added.

For physical verification, officers are empowered to enter the premises during daylight hours after informing the owner. In cases of non-cooperation, officers may proceed based on available information and refer the matter to the DGCA.

“Before forwarding the details to the Director General, the officer-in-charge of the aerodrome shall satisfy himself about the correctness of the details and for that purpose, he shall be empowered to enter the premises in question and carry out physical verification of the dimensions of the building or tree, as the case may be, during daylight hours and with reasonable prior notice to the owner, who shall be duty bound to extend full cooperation during such physical verification,” it further added.

If there is non-compliance, the officer-in-charge must report the matter to the District Collector, who is then responsible for ensuring the demolition or trimming is carried out in accordance with the order. The procedure will mirror the process used for removing unauthorised constructions. (ANI)