Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 17 (ANI): Gujarat Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education Rushikesh Patel on Tuesday penned a heartfelt post about a couple who lost their lives in the ill-fated Air India-171 plane crash.

In his post on social media, Minister Patel wrote that the DNA matches of the deceased couple, who had been settled in the United Kingdom since 1978, were identified side by side.

'Ashok and Shobhana Patel, a couple settled in the UK since 1978, tragically lost their lives in the Ahmedabad plane crash. Their son, Miten Patel, flew down from London to identify his father's body through DNA testing, a confirmation he received on Father's Day. While preparing to take his father's mortal remains back, fate intervened. Just as he was about to leave, a second call came, the 99th DNA match was his mother, Shobhana Patel,' Rushikesh Patel said.

'In a poignant twist, the couple who spent their entire lives together were identified side by side in death, DNA samples numbered 98 and 99. Miten emotionally shared, 'Even in death, my mother didn't let my father return home alone,' the post read.

Further, in his post, Rushikesh Patel wrote that both sons of the deceased expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Gujarat, Civil Hospital, and FSL team for their support during the difficult time.

'They expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Gujarat, Civil Hospital, FSL team for their support in this difficult time. The Patel brothers now return to London with both parents, carrying not just the weight of loss, but the eternal togetherness their parents symbolised,' the post further read.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi confirmed that the DNA samples of 144 victims in the Air India plane crash has been successfully matched as of 12 pm on Tuesday.

In a post on X, Sanghavi said, 'Air India crash update: As of 12 pm, 144 DNA samples have been matched.'

The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft crashed into a hostel complex shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, killing 241 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. (ANI)