Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Unsung Faces Behind the Scenes

Unsung Faces Behind the Scenes: The Ones Who Help Grieving Families Stay Strong After the Ahmedabad Plane Crash

Someone Consoled, Someone Offered a Hug, and Someone Made Sure They Got Home—Humanity at Its Quietest Best

The Dedicated Workers of Ahmedabad Civil Who Continue Their Duty, Handing Over Mortal Remains and Ensuring a Dignified Journey Home for Plane Crash Victims

Gandhinagar, 19 June 2025: In the aftermath of the tragic plane crash that occurred on June 12 in the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad, the Health Department continues to extend all necessary support to the injured and the grieving families of the victims. In these deeply painful times, psychiatrists, counsellors, call centre teams, and transport staff at the Civil Hospital have played a vital role. From offering emotional support and guiding families through essential formalities to ensuring the respectful return of mortal remains, their presence has brought strength and solace amid grief

What follows are the voices of those who stood by the families during this tragedy, in their own words.

“You Are Just Like My Daughter” — Said a Bereaved Mother to Nurse Surekha Rawal

After the DNA identification of the Ahmedabad plane crash victims, a dedicated team, headed by a senior officer, has been formed to ensure that families face no difficulties in receiving the mortal remains and belongings of their loved ones.

Staff Nurse Sushri Surekha Rawal, a counsellor in one such team, shares, “We have been part of this effort from day one. Once DNA reports are confirmed, the families arrive. From verifying ID cards to issuing death certificates, we help them through every step while also helping them stay emotionally strong.”

She adds, “In these moments, remaining closely connected with the families forms a bond, even if only briefly. I remember counselling one family who had come to receive the body of their daughter or sister. An elderly woman looked at me and said I resembled the one they had lost. She hugged me and cried. I consoled her and finally sent her off with the mortal remains of her loved one.”

“From Kasoti Bhavan to the Handover of Mortal Remains, We Keep Helping Them Stay Strong”: Dr. Nisha Prajapati, Psychiatrist 

As soon as the news of the plane crash came in, families of the passengers began arriving. The process unfolded in three stages—first, DNA samples were collected; then, the matching was carried out; and finally, the mortal remains were handed over to the families. Since day one, a team of 10 psychiatrists has been working in three shifts, offering counselling to over 350 relatives.

At every stage, families needed emotional strength, reassurance, and someone to help them remain steady through their grief. Psychiatrist Dr Nisha Prajapati, who has been part of this effort from the beginning, shares: “I remember an uncle who came to Kasoti Bhavan to give his DNA sample. He was devastated. I tried speaking to him and comforting him, but he was completely shattered and couldn’t stop crying. The pain of losing his loved one was unbearable.

Eventually, I informed our head, and late that night, we were finally able to calm and reassure him. Even during the handover of the mortal remains, many families break down. Some ask to see their loved one’s face one last time, or become emotional when we hand over their belongings. In those moments, we stay by their side, helping them through the most difficult part of their loss.”

“Once DNA Samples Match, We Ensure Dignified Handover of Mortal Remains to the Family”: Dr Alpa Mankadia

Dr Alpa Mankadia, part of the team responsible for contacting families after DNA confirmation, shares, “Once a DNA match is confirmed, we quickly step in. We call the concerned relatives, inform them about the match, guide them on when to come, what documents to bring, and ask where they would like the body to be taken. Based on that, we make the necessary arrangements to ensure the dignified handover.”

RTO Coordinates Transportation for Respectful Return of Mortal Remains”: B.V. Bhadani, ARTO

After the handover of the mortal remains to the families of the Ahmedabad plane crash victims, the Ahmedabad RTO office, in coordination with Air India, makes necessary transportation arrangements to ensure the remains are taken to their homes with dignity.

Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Shri B.V. Bhadani shares that the RTO has arranged around 15 vehicles so far. Based on inputs from Dr Kapadia’s team about the number of accompanying family members, the RTO assigns suitable vehicles. These vehicles carry the mortal remains along with accompanying family members, ensuring a dignified and uninterrupted journey back home.