More than three days after providing a DNA sample, Imtiyaz Ali is undergoiгng an agonizing wait to receive his brother’s remains, who perished in the Air India crash.
“My 72 hours are up, but I haven’t heard from them yet,” Mr. Ali stated in Ahmedabad, where relatives of victims have congregated since the air tragedy.
Out of the 242 individuals onboard the flight, only one survived when it crashed into a residential area on Thursday, claiming at least 38 additional lives.
Health officials have indicated that the process of matching blood samples with victims’ DNA will be painstakingly slow, with only 47 identified by this evening.
“Following the Air India incident, they should have appointed the necessary personnel the very next day to ensure we received everything we needed,” such as assistance with documentation, he remarked.
“Whatever was required should have been taken care of within hours post-accident,” he added, after being designated a support person by the airline.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson mentioned in a video message yesterday that “over 200 trained caregivers are now present, with each family assigned dedicated support.”
Although some funerals have already taken place, most of the grieving families are still awaiting a DNA match before the remains can be released from the mortuary.
The airline referred journalists to earlier statements regarding its response to the crash when approached for comments about the families’ criticisms.
While several funerals have been conducted, the majority of sorrowful relatives continue to wait for a DNA match before receiving their loved ones’ remains from the mortuary.
Rinal Christian, whose elder brother was on the flight, mentioned her family keeps returning to the hospital but has been instructed to wait.
“They said it would take 48 hours. But it has been four days, and we have not gotten any updates,” the 23-year-old expressed.
Her brother, Lawrence Christian, had traveled to Ahmedabad from London following their father’s death.
“After my father, my brother was the family’s sole breadwinner. I’m still studying, my mother is unemployed, and we also have our grandmother. What happens next?” she asked.
Air India and its parent company Tata Group have pledged financial assistance of $146,000 for each family, but Christian stated she has not yet heard from the airline.
As some in Ahmedabad mourn those who supported their families, parents are also facing the heartbreaking loss of their children.
Suresh Patni, a driver, had just dropped off his teenage son at his wife’s tea stall when the plane struck.
She sustained severe injuries, including burns and nerve damage, and Mr. Patni has been unable to inform her that their son has died.
“She won’t be able to handle it… I’ve already lost one; I can’t risk losing her too,” he remarked.
While caring for his wife, Mr. Patni is among those still awaiting news of his son’s remains.
“As soon as our number comes up, they’ll call us, ask us to come, and then hand over the body.”
