Devastation following the London-bound Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people on board, extended beyond the aircraft. The plane, which crashed into a residential area, killed at least 17 people on the ground – none of them were passengers.
Among them were four BJ Medical College students, a doctor visiting a friend, and three others from the doctors’ housing block. Newslaundry met families of nine other victims – everyday lives cut short without warning.
Someone had stepped out to fix their Aadhaar details, others were either returning from or going to work, or having a meal when the crash tore through the area. Many were at the medical college mess hall – some cooking, some resting, some in their nearby huts.
These names don’t appear on the flight list, but they’re part of the same tragedy.
Each evening, the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad shares updates on DNA identifications and body handovers. On June 19, Dr Joshi, who leads the briefings, confirmed that 17 ground fatalities had been recorded so far.
By June 19, DNA matches had been found for 215 bodies. Officials say the ground toll could rise as identifications continue.
Watch our report.
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