Ahmedabad: The devastating crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Thursday, which claimed the lives of 270 people, revealed a remarkable story of recovery amid immense tragedy. In the aftermath of the London-bound plane’s catastrophic impact near BJ Medical College, a team, led by a businessman identified only as Patel, engaged in both rescue and recovery efforts, uncovering a huge amount of valuables amid the wreckage.
Among the recovered items were approximately 70 tolas of gold, Rs 80,000 in cash, several burnt passports, and remarkably, a nearly intact copy of the Bhagavad Gita, Times of India (TOI) reported.
The initial moments following the crash were chaotic, filled with intense fire and the cries of the injured. Patel and his team, initially hampered by the huge flames, aided in rescue efforts, using readily available materials like sarees and bedsheets as makeshift stretchers to transport the wounded to safety. “For the first 15 to 20 minutes, we could barely get close. The fire was too intense,” Patel told TOI.
Once the immediate rescue phase subsided, the team shifted their focus to salvaging personal belongings from the debris, a task authorised by authorities until 9:00 pm.
Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, confirmed that all recovered items, including the gold, cash, and personal documents, would be returned to the victims’ families following proper documentation. Patel, a veteran volunteer from the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts, described the scale of destruction as unlike anything he had previously witnessed. He emphasised that the experience would forever be etched in his memory. “The destruction, the flames, the loss wrought by the crash is something I will never forget,” he was was quoted as saying TOI.
Sanghavi further highlighted the Ahmedabad City Police’s dedication to returning personal belongings to families, citing a specific instance where a gold ornament, weighing 4-5 tolas and valued at approximately Rs 4.5 lakhs, was recovered from the body of Veenaben Agheda and successfully returned to her family. He praised the combined efforts of the police, health department, and administration for their commendable service.
” “After the Air India plane crash, the Ahmedabad City Police went above and beyond to ensure the deceased’s family received their loved one’s belongings,” Sanghavi posted on X.
“A gold ornament weighing 4-5 tolas, worth around ₹4.5 lakhs, seized from Veenaben Agheda’s body was meticulously tracked down and returned to her family. The family praised the police for their honest work, expressing gratitude for their dedication to service. Kudos to Ahmedabad Police, Health Department, and Administration for their exceptional service!” he added.
The identification process, however, remains challenging. DNA matching has confirmed the identities of 132 victims, and relatives of 131 have been contacted.
