Air India plane crash: DNA test confirms Gujarat filmmaker Mahesh Jirawala’s death
Brief News Summary
Gujarati filmmaker Mahesh Kalawadia, popularly known as Mahesh Jirawala, tragically lost his life in the Air India Flight AI171 crash near Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. After being reported missing, his remains were formally identified by DNA matching on June 21, confirmed by police and relatives. A burnt scooter and his switched-off phone were found around 700 meters from the crash site. Initially in denial, the family accepted the tragic reality once forensic evidence—DNA, scooter chassis details, and CCTV—was presented
Introduction
Hello there! If you’re hearing about the Air India Flight AI171 crash for the first time or are following updates, this article is for you. We’ll walk through what happened, who Mahesh Jirawala was, how DNA confirmed his identity, and what this tragic event means for aviation, families, and our collective memory. Let’s dive in.
1. The Air India AI171 Crash: Quick Overview
- What happened?
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner (VT‑ANB), took off from Ahmedabad bound for London. Roughly 36 seconds after takeoff, it inexplicably lost altitude, crashed into the BJ Medical Hostel in Shahibaug, and exploded in a massive fireball - Casualties
The crash claimed 241 lives onboard, left 1 sole survivor, and killed over 39 people on the ground, pushing the death toll past 280 - Ongoing investigation
A black box was recovered, and Indian and US authorities are probing causes—from engine failure to structural faults
2. Who Was Mahesh Jirawala?
- Background
Born Mahesh Girdharbhai Kalawadia, Mahesh, 34, earned acclaim in Gujarat’s film and music video scene. He founded Mahesh Jirawala Productions, directing regional music videos and the 2019 Gujarati film “Cocktail Premi: Paw of Revenge” - Family life
Married to Hetal, he was father to two young children. He lived in Naroda, Ahmedabad, and was known for socially aware short films. - His last known moments
On the afternoon of June 12, Mahesh attended a meeting near Law Garden, called his wife at 1:14 PM, and said he was heading home. By 1:40 PM, coinciding with the crash, his phone went dead
3. The Mystery of His Disappearance
- Device and route anomalies
Mahesh’s phone and scooter were discovered burnt about 700 meters from the crash site—an area he typically didn’t travel through - Missing person report
Concerned, Hetal lodged a missing complaint, prompting immediate searches of hospitals, morgues, and police records. No trace was found initially - The family’s hope
Despite alarming signs, they held onto hope—until DNA testing became a somber necessity.
4. DNA Confirmation & Forensic Evidence
- Ground victim scenario
Mishaps happened not only onboard but on the ground. CSI teams retrieved several bodies from the hostel wreckage and scorch zone - DNA processes
Mahesh’s family provided DNA samples which were later matched to remains recovered from the crash area - Supporting visuals and data
Authorities cross-checked the burnt Activa’s chassis and engine numbers, combined with CCTV footage, cementing the identification - Official confirmation
On June 20, Naroda police officially confirmed the match. His remains were formally released to the family the next day
Broader DNA Identification Efforts
- Scale
As of June 17, authorities matched 162 victims, returning 120 bodies so far. By June 20, the count rose to 231 confirmed, with 210 returned - Notable identifications
Ex-Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani was among the identified via DNA - Challenges faced
Extreme fire damage slowed testing. Heat reached an estimated 1500 °C, complicating sample extraction and processing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why was DNA testing necessary?
The extreme intensity of the fire made visual or fingerprint identification impossible. DNA testing remains the most reliable method in such cases. - How many people died onboard the flight?
Flight AI171 carried 242 occupants—241 died, and there was 1 sole survivor - What about ground fatalities?
At least 39 people on the ground perished, including residents of the hostel and nearby campus - How does matching DNA to a body work?
Close relatives provide DNA samples, which are genetically compared against remains found at the scene. A match confirms identity with high certainty. - How is aviation safety being reexamined?
Investigators are examining everything—from potential mechanical failure to airport safety protocols and surrounding land use.
