Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Health Department has officially confirmed that 275 people lost their lives in the tragic Air India Dreamliner crash that occurred on June 12 in Ahmedabad. This is the first formal announcement of the final death toll following days of uncertainty and ongoing identification efforts.
According to the detailed report released by the state authorities, 241 of the deceased were passengers and crew members on board the ill-fated Boeing 787 Dreamliner, while 34 others were individuals on the ground either inside or near the hospital complex into which the aircraft crashed moments after takeoff.
The aircraft, which had just departed from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport en route to London, encountered what investigators believe was a catastrophic mechanical failure. Within minutes, the plane plummeted into a nearby hospital facility, resulting in one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s history.
In the absence of immediate clarity on the number of victims, the government had earlier held off on confirming a death toll, citing the need to complete extensive DNA testing and identification protocols. The Health Department now reports that all bodies from the crash site have been recovered.
Of the 275 victims, authorities have successfully identified 260 through DNA analysis, while six were recognized by visual identification. The victims include 120 men, 124 women, and 16 children, highlighting the devastating impact on families from across the country and beyond.
As of now, 256 bodies have been handed over to grieving families, with the remaining being processed and verified. The identification work was especially challenging due to the severity of the crash and the condition of many of the remains. Specialized forensic teams worked around the clock to ensure accurate and respectful handling of each case.
Tragically, of the 242 passengers and crew on board, only one person survived, and that individual remains in critical but stable condition at a specialized medical facility in Mumbai.
The Dreamliner’s crash into a densely populated medical complex outside the airport zone also led to significant collateral damage and civilian casualties. The 34 individuals killed on the ground included hospital staff, patients, and visitors who were caught in the devastating aftermath.
This latest confirmation by the Gujarat government has brought a somber closure to the speculation surrounding the death toll. Air India, in coordination with central and state authorities, is continuing to provide support to the victims’ families, including facilitating compensation, travel, and psychological counseling.
As the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and a joint investigation team from Boeing and Indian aviation experts probe the cause of the crash, public and political pressure is mounting for accountability and improved safety protocols. The incident has not only shaken public confidence in Air India but has also raised serious concerns about aircraft maintenance, flight safety standards, and emergency preparedness.
In the meantime, national mourning continues, with tributes pouring in for the lives lost in what is now recognized as a national aviation disaster of unprecedented scale.