Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the tragic Air India AI 171 plane crash in Ahmedabad, calling it one of the most devastating aviation incidents he has witnessed.
“This incident has shaken India and the entire world. How it happened will only be known after a thorough investigation. I have never seen such a massive tragedy before,” Kataria told reporters.
The AI 171 Boeing Dreamliner, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after take-off on June 12, resulting in the deaths of 241 of the 242 people on board. The victims included former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
In response to the tragedy, the Gujarat administration has streamlined the issuance of death certificates to grieving families. Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchha Nidhi Pani stated that a single-window system has been implemented at the hospital to avoid further inconvenience to the bereaved.
Pani also confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has successfully recovered the aircraft’s black box. "The black box had to be recovered. The black box is either in the front or in the back. Fortunately, in this case, the tail end (of the plane) was not destroyed, and it was stuck in the first building. The AAIB team requested that cranes, labourers, and engineers be provided to recover the black box. After this, the Black box was recovered," the Ahmedabad Municipal commissioner said.
"After that, we ensured that people should not go to offices for death certificates. A single-window system was created, and the death certificates were issued then and there," he said.
The authorities have begun the process of identifying the bodies of the deceased from the charred wreckage with the help of DNA and blood samples provided by relatives. Earlier today, Ahmedabad Additional Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital Dr. Rajnish Patel said a total of 31 DNA samples have been identified and 12 bodies have been handed over to their respective family members.
"The bodies of 31 DNAs have been matched. 12 bodies have been handed over to their respective family members. We are waiting for others to come and collect the remains of their relatives", he told reporters
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