Three days after the tragic crash of Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on 12 June, which claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew members, Air India stated on Sunday that it had established contact with all next of kin, offering condolences and assistance with necessary procedures.
In an official statement, the airline extended its deepest condolences to the families, loved ones and communities affected by the devastating incident.
The airline confirmed that more than 400 family members had arrived in Ahmedabad, where dedicated Air India teams were providing on-ground support. Each affected family had been assigned at least one caregiver to help them through this difficult time.
Air India, in collaboration with other Tata Group companies, said it was prioritising comprehensive support for the bereaved families. The solemn process of returning mortal remains and personal belongings to relatives was currently underway, with the airline coordinating closely with authorities regarding transportation and repatriation arrangements where required.
The airline expressed gratitude to both central and state governments for their exceptional support throughout the crisis. Special appreciation was extended to medical teams at Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital and Rajasthan Hospital for their tireless efforts, as well as to Tata Group colleagues for mobilising critical resources.
As investigations into the crash continue under official authorities, Air India pledged full cooperation and committed to sharing verified updates.
Meanwhile, the Gujarat Chief Minister's Office released a press statement on Sunday confirming that the process - from collecting samples from deceased passengers' family members to DNA matching - is being conducted continuously on a 24-hour basis.
The DNA profiling and matching procedures are being carried out at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
