Ahmedabad: Officials confirmed on Sunday that the remains of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani have been identified through DNA testing, as investigations into the tragic Air India plane crash on June 12 continue to unfold.

A team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), along with various central and state agencies, is currently examining the site of what has been described as the worst air disaster in India in the last thirty years.

To date, 32 victims have been identified, and the remains of 14 individuals have been returned to their families, according to Dr. Rajnish Patel, the additional civil superintendent. The identification process accelerated three days after the incident.

Rupani was among the 241 passengers who lost their lives in the devastating crash, with only one survivor from the total of 242 individuals on board.

"The DNA sample of former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani matched with that of his family members at 11:10 AM today," stated Gujarat's Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, during a press briefing in Gandhinagar.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited Rupani's family to share the news of the DNA match, as reported by state Health Minister Rushikesh Patel.

"So far, 32 DNA samples have been confirmed, and 14 bodies have been handed over to their respective families. The deceased hailed from Udaipur, Vadodara, Kheda, Mehsana, Ahmedabad, and Botad districts," Dr. Rajnish Patel added.

The Boeing 787-8 (AI171) aircraft tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, landing in the vicinity of the BJ Medical College campus in Meghaninagar, where it erupted in flames.

An AAIB team has been on-site for three days, leading the investigation, with support from various central agencies and local police.

Banchha Nidhi Pani, Commissioner of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), emphasized the importance of recovering the black box as part of the investigation.

"The black box was located in the tail section, which remained intact and was found lodged in the first building of the BJ Medical College hostel," the official explained.

"The AAIB requested cranes, laborers, and engineers for assistance, and the AMC promptly responded, successfully recovering the black box," Pani noted.

City Police Commissioner GS Malik also visited the crash site on Sunday morning.

"To date, around 270 bodies have been transported to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital from the crash site," reported Dr. Dhaval Gameti, president of the junior doctors' association at BJ Medical College.

In response to the tragedy, the central government has established a high-level, multi-disciplinary panel tasked with determining the "root cause" of the crash and evaluating factors such as mechanical failure, human error, and regulatory compliance.

This panel, led by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, is expected to deliver its findings within three months.

Officials have indicated that 230 teams have been organized to assist the families of the victims.