Families affected by the Air India crash are enduring agonizing waits for their loved ones’ remains. Officials report ongoing searches for bodies and challenges with DNA identification due to fire damage. The crash prompts a high-level investigation by the Indian government as families cope with their loss and uncertainty.
In the aftermath of the Air India plane crash that claimed 242 lives, families are bracing themselves for an agonizing wait for their loved ones’ remains. Jignesh Mistry, 72, has spent the last 72 hours at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad hoping to hear news of his niece, who was on board the flight. Authorities initially assured him that DNA matching would be completed on Sunday, but he was informed on Saturday that the process might take longer as the search for bodies continues. “The wait is killing us,” he expressed, voicing the collective anguish shared among the families waiting for answers.
From an unofficial source within the fire department and police, it appears the search for remains is ongoing, creating uncertainty for families. Rajnish Patel, the additional superintendent at the Civil Hospital, acknowledged that 11 victims have been identified using DNA samples, noting that families of those identified were already informed. But for many, the wait is dragging and full of dread. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which tragically burst into flames shortly after takeoff for London’s Gatwick Airport, is now noted as India’s worst aviation disaster.
The Indian government has ordered a high-level investigation while all Boeing 787s in India are required to undergo inspections. The exact cause of the crash remains a mystery, although the aviation authority is thoroughly examining all potential factors, with help from international aviation experts. In the hospital, medical staff are frantic to hasten the DNA identification process, but many remains are severely charred, complicating matters significantly.
HP Sanghvi, the director of the Directorate of Forensic Sciences in Gandhinagar, stressed the importance of accuracy in this sensitive process, adding that DNA is often damaged from the intense fire. Forensic dentist Jaishankar Pillai also mentioned their team attempted to collect dental records, which might be a crucial source of identification.
In the midst of this horror, families are reeling. One woman, who was anxiously waiting outside the autopsy room, expressed her reluctance to speak, sharing simply, “Words fail us right now.” Many, understandably distressed, prefer silence over media attention, hoping for any semblance of closure.
Over at BJ Medical College, where the plane impacted, several hospital wards are being cleared. Students have begun to return home, with some expressing a haunting emptiness in the aftermath of the tragedy. One student noted, “There are just three people left now. It used to be full. “.
Kartik Kalawadia is grappling with uncertainty after last hearing from his brother Mahesh just before the crash. Reporting that Mahesh had called his wife to say, “I am coming home,” the situation turned dire when he subsequently lost contact. The Kalawadia family has tirelessly pursued answers at Civil Hospital, but so far, have found nothing. “It’s like he vanished into thin air,” he lamented.
Civil Aviation Secretary SK Sinha acknowledged the difficulty experienced over the last few days but reassured the public that the investigation is moving forward. Despite this, Kartik is left with questions about whether any inquiry will eventually lead him to his brother. “We don’t know the answer, but we can hope it’s a positive one,” he reflected.
As the situation remains fluid, the emotional toll on families waiting at the Civil Hospital adds to the tragedy. Imtiyaz Ali Sayed expressed disbelief earlier in the week about the possibility of losing his brother Javed, his wife, and their two children. But as the reality set in, he faced the heart-wrenching decision of burial places. “For me, it makes no difference, because he’s gone, from ashes to dust and back to God,” he said, encapsulating the profound sorrow felt by so many in this devastating situation.
The pain of uncertainty and loss is deeply palpable as families continue to await the identification and return of their loved ones following the tragic Air India crash. Investigations are ongoing, with officials working to ensure accuracy in the identification process amid the challenges posed by fire-damaged remains. In this difficult time, the families are left to grapple with their grief, hoping for closure while confronting the harsh realities of this aviation disaster.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
