Air India mishap: Crash site becomes a spectacle, draws more than just investigators

The allure of the macabre is irresistible. As police push a motley crowd away from the barricade at the crash site, where human remains are still being found, the group simply shifts direction.

"Agad chalo tyan thi saaru dekha se (We may get a glimpse from there),” a boy said expectantly. One of three men murmured, suggesting another vantage point – his voice a blend of morbid curiosity and sorrow.

A little further, five men attempted to climb a wall for a better view, but were quickly turned away by exhausted officers.


Ahmedabad, stunned by the crash, found itself balancing profound shock with a raw, undeniable urge to witness, as different teams continued to sweep the wreckage meticulously, searching for body parts, looking for clues, collecting what could be evidences…. Even as police urged them to step back, onlookers strained their necks and shuffled for space, seeking a glimpse. The pull to watch proved stronger than fear or sadness.

Inside the crash site, a team from Boeing and US delegates spent over two hours meticulously sweeping the debris, their presence underlining the global scale of the tragedy.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) was carefully recovering more human remains. There was hushed talk that teams from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) had also quietly swept the area as part of the investigation.

At Civil Hospital, the mood was tense and restless. The DNA match confirming former chief minister Vijay Rupani’s remains brought a mix of relief and grief. Gujarat health minister Rushikesh Patel visited the hospital’s ‘Baarso Bed’ wing, which is now the central point for post-crash coordination.

In another part of the hospital, three women arrived quietly, carrying a folded Indian flag and three bags of garlands, heading to perform final rites in silence.

At the airport, away from the crowds, a group of at least 14 technical experts worked on the black boxes, decoding the flight’s final moments from its voice and data recorders.

In the hours following the AI-171 crash, Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel oversaw a swift, organised response. District collectors personally contacted families of victims. The state quickly appointed nodal officers to guide families through insurance and compensation procedures. Helpdesks from New India Assurance, HDFC Life, and LIC were set up at Civil Hospital, along with an IRDAI-mandated joint cell to streamline the claims process.

Twelve teams worked round the clock on DNA sampling, collecting over 250 blood samples from relatives and residents. So far, 62 DNA matches have been confirmed, and 35 mortal remains—including eight identified without DNA testing—have been handed over to families.

More than 250 nodal and assistant nodal officers are assisting families through the process, even escorting remains for final rites. Air India provided free air travel for visiting relatives, while the roads and buildings department arranged their accommodation. Helplines and control rooms have so far handled close to 1,700 calls, each answered and acted upon quickly.

In the face of deep tragedy, Ahmedabad responded with a sharp, coordinated effort.