Air India plane crash: Ex-Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani's last rites to be held in Rajkot

The DNA samples of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, who was killed in a plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday, have matched with that of his family members.

According to officials, his last rites will be held in Rajkot.

The body of the BJP leader was identified three days after the catastrophic crash killing all but one of the 242 passengers on board. 

The London-bound Air India flight went down into a doctors’ hostel minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad International Airport around 2 pm. At least 29 people on the ground, including doctors and medical students, also lost their lives in the incident.

Rupani’s DNA samples were match around 11 am on Monday. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel went to Rupani’s official residence and informed his relatives about the sample matching.

“CM has also informed the family that the state government will support them in the further proceedings of the last rites in Rajkot. The family members will decide when they will take over his mortal remains," health minister Rushikesh Patel said.

Earlier in the morning, Dr Rajnish Patel, ADMS at Civil Hospital, had told media that the DNA testing for Rupani was still ongoing.

Authorities here have so far identified 32 victims through DNA testing and bodies of 14 have been handed over to their families, he said.

As many of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition or damaged otherwise, authorities are carrying out DNA tests to establish the identity of victims of the horrific tragedy.

India