Air India plane crash: Final DNA match done as 260 confirmed dead
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Ahmedabad: Sixteen days after the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, authorities have completed the DNA identification process for all victims.
The final unidentified body, belonging to a 32-year-old man from Bhuj in Gujarat, was matched late at night, confirming the identities of all 260 individuals—241 passengers and crew members, and 19 others who were not on the flight manifest.
Initial reports from medical officials had placed the death toll at 270, but the confirmed count now stands at 260.
The last victim to be identified was Anil Lalji Khimani, a resident of Dahinsar, Bhuj, who was travelling to London on the ill-fated flight. Although his name was listed among the passengers, his remains had not been previously verified due to delays in DNA testing.
Anil’s father, Laljibhai Khimani, had appealed to authorities to speed up the identification process or pursue further investigation if no match was found. After confirmation came in late on June 27, the hospital notified the family, and arrangements are being made to hand over the body today, TNIE reported.
Civil Hospital Superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi confirmed that all 260 bodies from the Air India crash, including that of Anil Khimani, have now been handed over to families. He stated that DNA matching had been completed for 240 individuals earlier, and the final case was resolved the previous night, officially concluding the identification process.
Of the 260 confirmed fatalities, 181 were Indian citizens. The others included 52 nationals from the United Kingdom, seven from Portugal, one from Canada, and 19 non-passengers who were on the ground when the crash occurred.
DNA analysis was used to identify 254 victims, while six were recognized through facial features.
Among those who died were two British nationals visiting Ahmedabad from London. Their DNA was cross-referenced with samples from relatives in the UK. One of the bodies had been released earlier, and the second was returned to the family just yesterday. Both families have since taken back the bodies to London.
In addition to those who died, five passengers injured in the crash were treated at Civil Hospital. Four of them later died from their injuries, while the fifth was discharged yesterday. With all victims now identified and accounted for, the death toll from the tragic crash stands at 260.
