Immediate Response to the Tragedy
In the wake of the AI-171 plane crash in Ahmedabad, the State Government has promptly initiated extensive rescue and relief efforts. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has spearheaded the activation of a dedicated government response team to ensure a swift and organized approach, as stated by the Chief Minister's Office.
District collectors have reached out to the families affected by the crash. To facilitate the timely processing of insurance and compensation claims for the victims' legal heirs, district-level accounting officers and designated officials have been appointed as Nodal Officers. The district administration is committed to providing full support to the families during this challenging time. A Joint Cell will be established at the hospital to streamline the insurance claim process, in accordance with IRDAI's guidelines.
New India Assurance has been appointed as the primary insurer for the General Insurance Council, while HDFC Life will serve as the lead insurer for the Life Insurance Council. With assistance from the district administration, help desks for New India Assurance, HDFC Life Insurance, and LIC have been set up at the Civil Hospital. These desks are designed to facilitate the efficient processing of insurance claims for the deceased passengers and provide necessary guidance to affected individuals.
The district administration is also providing the families of victims with the contact details of the respective insurance companies' nodal officers. Efforts are underway to assist these companies with essential information, including the passenger list, to expedite the claims process. A total of 12 teams are working in shifts to conduct DNA sampling for matching purposes, while counseling support is being offered to the affected families.
The Health Department has mobilized over 855 health personnel, including 100 healthcare workers at the trauma center, to aid in medical relief operations. This includes both regular staff from the Civil Hospital and additional personnel brought in specifically for this emergency. Currently, 250 blood samples have been collected from relatives of passengers and local residents impacted by the incident.
So far, 62 DNA matches have been confirmed, leading to the handover of 27 mortal remains to their respective families. Additionally, 8 remains were identified without DNA testing and returned to families two days ago. In total, 35 remains have been handed over, with only 3 samples pending from relatives currently in the U.K., who are expected to arrive in the next few days.
To manage the handover of mortal remains and maintain ongoing communication with the families, the district administration has appointed over 250 Nodal and Assistant Nodal Officers. Supervisory officers have also been assigned to ensure that all procedures are executed smoothly. These officers provide comprehensive support to families, from initial contact to assistance throughout the entire process leading up to the final rites.
Once DNA matching is confirmed, the remains are transported via ambulance, accompanied by police escort, to the family's chosen location for final rites. Officers also ensure that all necessary documents and recovered belongings are handed over, remaining present until the funeral is completed. The state government is coordinating with emergency operation centers in other states for relatives living outside Gujarat.
Contact has been established with the Nodal Officers in those states, and continuous coordination is maintained for all inter-state cases. A dedicated team from Air India is stationed at the Civil Hospital around the clock. As more family members of the crash victims arrive, arrangements for air travel are being provided at no cost, tailored to their individual needs.
The Roads & Buildings Department has organized transportation and accommodation facilities to ensure the comfort of the families. Through various helplines and control rooms set up by the State Government, nearly 1,700 calls have been received, with appropriate actions taken in response.
