AI 171 crash: 4 medical students and relatives dead; death toll rises to 250

AHMEDABAD: Days after an Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad, authorities have said that four medical students of the BJ Medical College and their relatives have died so far, bringing the death toll in the June 12 mishap to 250.

Dhaval Gameti, FAIMA Vice President and President of Junior Doctors Association, BJ Medical College said that four medical students and their relatives have died so far. He further stated that out of 20 admitted students, 11 have been discharged, and eight to nine people are still under treatment.

An Air India Dreamliner flight from Ahmedabad to London, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12 afternoon.

Barring one survivor, no one else could be rescued. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those killed in the crash. Air India confirmed that 241 out of 242 people aboard the flight have died.

“Four medical students have died in the incident. Including resident doctors and their relatives, the total deaths are nine. Twenty students were admitted, of whom 11 have been discharged now…Currently, eight to nine people are going through the treatment….” Gameti said, addressing mediapersons here.

Gameti also stated that at least 21 bodies apart from the passengers on the ill-fated plane have been recovered from the site of the crash and DNA testing of which is currently underway.

“Other than the passengers, 21 bodies have been recovered from the crash site. DNA testing is underway…right now, 270 bodies have been recovered from the site…” he added.

Meanwhile, family members of the passengers who died in the crash mourn the loss of their loved ones.

Lawrence Daniel Christian, was one of the 241 passengers who died in the ill-fated flight. He had been living in London with his wife since the last one and a half year due to work commitments and had recently returned to Ahmedabad on leave due to his father’s demise.

Tragically, his journey back to London ended in disaster, leaving the Christian family shattered once again.

While speaking, his mother, Raveena Daniel Christian, said, “…He was living in London with his wife for the last 1.5 years due to work. He came here on leave after my husband’s death 15 days ago…He was returning to London and we also went…”She could not finish the sentence as grief overtook her. The Christian family had accompanied Lawrence to the airport to bid farewell, unaware that it would be the last time they would see him alive.

Additional Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital Dr Rajnish Patel said, “…So far, DNA samples of 15 deceased have been matched…The mortal remains of three deceased have been handed over to their families…” (ANI)