AI171 Crash: Locals Recover Gold, Cash, Passports and Gita from Wreckage; Rules that Apply for Claiming Ownership
AI171 Crash: Locals Recover Gold, Cash, Passports and Gita from Wreckage; Rules that Apply for Claiming Ownership
Over 70 tolas of gold and personal belongings found near crash site as DNA identification of victims continues
In the aftermath of the tragic Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, local residents have emerged as unsung heroes, retrieving not just victims but also their last possessions from the burning debris. Among them was 56-year-old Raju Patel and his team, who rushed to the crash site near BJ Medical College, pulling out bodies and salvaging scorched belongings.
From the charred wreckage of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which had taken off for London before crashing minutes later, Patel and his crew recovered 70 tolas of gold jewellery (roughly 816 grams), Rs 80,000 in cash, several passports, and a copy of the Bhagavad Gita. All these items were promptly handed over to the police.
The crash, one of the deadliest in recent history, claimed the lives of all 241 passengers and over 30 crew members on board. DNA testing is currently underway to identify the deceased. Meanwhile, the valuables recovered from the site have been placed under government custody, stored securely as per legal protocol.
What Happens to Items Found in a Plane Crash?
As per Indian law and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, any valuables be it money, jewellery, or documents retrieved from a crash site are initially seized by the police or local administration to prevent misuse or theft. These items are protected in government-controlled vaults or lockers.
Once the immediate recovery process is complete, the next step involves identifying the rightful owners. Since the identification of many victims is still ongoing, the verification of ownership will be carried out later based on supporting documents such as passports, boarding passes, and proof of relationship from family members.
If family members wish to claim the recovered belongings, they must provide legal evidence such as death certificates, relationship documents, and travel records. In the absence of any legitimate claims, the items may eventually be declared government property.
International Protocols Also Apply
Given that Flight AI171 was an international flight, the Montreal Convention of 1999, which governs air travel and passenger rights globally also applies. According to the Convention, the airline is responsible for compensating families of the deceased, and recovered belongings must be handled according to both national and international laws.
The haunting discovery of sacred texts, gold, and personal documents from the debris serves as a reminder of the lives lost and the memories left behind. As investigations continue and families wait for closure, authorities urge anyone with missing relatives on AI171 to cooperate with the identification process and submit claims through official channels if applicable.
