Ahmedabad: The state govt on Tuesday evening announced that 167 DNA matches were established to identify victims of the AI171 airplane crash based on the relatives’ DNA samples. Of the total, 133 bodies were handed over to relatives as of 7.45pm on Tuesday.Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) by Tuesday evening issued 139 death certificates in both Gujarati and English for persons from Gujarat and other states and countries, said officials.Dr Rakesh Joshi, medical superintendent of Civil Hospital, said that 21 families were in touch with the administration and would soon come to receive the mortal remains of their loved ones.“Out of the total 71 patients admitted to the hospital in the aftermath of the crash, two succumbed to the injuries. Of the remaining 69 patients, 42 were discharged after satisfactory recovery. One of the patients is in critical condition and under observation, whereas the rest are stable,” said Dr Joshi. “After the crash, 30 medical students were admitted to the hospital, of which only one is currently admitted.”He told the media that out of the mortal remains handed over to relatives so far, two are from the UK. Among the victims from outside Gujarat, three are from Mumbai, two from other parts of Maharashtra, two from Jodhpur, and one from Udaipur. Five victims were from Diu, whereas from Gujarat, 41 are from Ahmedabad, 16 from Vadodara, 10 from Kheda, nine from Anand, six from Gandhinagar, and five from Bharuch, among others.“The DNA analysis and sampling is a sensitive process and due to the legal angle to it, it takes some time. However, it is done at the earliest possible time so that the mortal remains can be handed over to relatives for the last rites,” added Dr Joshi.Sources close to the development said that the majority of the samples are likely to be analysed by Wednesday evening. However, matching with the relatives may take some more time. Sources added that some of the samples require multiple extraction and analysis attempts to get satisfactory DNA extraction.Meanwhile, AMC from Monday started counselling the relatives of the victims from outside the city to convince them to perform the last rites in the city at two crematoriums — behind the VS Hospital and at Thaltej on SG Road.“The counselling primarily consists of two things — the coffin should not be opened as chances are high that the body might be disfigured due to the very high temperature generated at the crash. It should also be cremated in a CNG or electric furnace and not on a traditional pyre due to the condition of the mortal remains,” said an official. “If they wish to take the remains for cremation, they are provided with all facilities. Likewise, if they decide to perform the last rites in the city, the crematoriums are coordinating with the authorities.”