In a heartbreaking turn of events, 270 people have been confirmed dead after an Air India aircraft crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The Air India crash, involving a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, has shaken the nation and intensified the focus on aviation safety. The plane plunged into a residential area shortly after take-off, killing nearly everyone onboard except for one survivor—a 40-year-old British man.
Search, Recovery, and DNA Matching Continue
As rescue operations unfold, Indian authorities have recovered 270 bodies from the crash site near BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital. Officials say that 241 victims were passengers and crew of Flight AI171. The remaining casualties are believed to be from the building the aircraft struck—housing doctors and medical staff.
Matching the victims’ identities has been a painstaking process. DNA samples from grieving families are being used to formally identify the deceased. Over 30 identifications have been confirmed so far, with many relatives still waiting anxiously for results.
Global Mourning and Community Grief
Across India and the UK, vigils and tributes have brought communities together in sorrow. On Sunday, around 100 people gathered outside the Indian High Commission in London, laying candles and flowers in remembrance. Community leaders have expressed frustration, demanding clear answers about how such a catastrophic failure occurred.
One leader shared that a UK family had flown to India to identify a relative’s remains and were awaiting test results at a hospital. The emotion was raw, the mood solemn—and the question on everyone’s lips was: How did this happen?
Investigation Underway: Black Box Offers Hope
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal inquiry, supported by aviation experts from the US and UK. The discovery of the black box on Friday has raised hopes that investigators will soon uncover the cause.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu stated that the black box would “significantly aid the inquiry.” According to Flightradar24, the aircraft had flown this same route 25 times in the last two years. It was an 11-year-old Boeing Dreamliner, and questions around its technical performance are mounting.
Timeline of the Crash: Just 60 Seconds in the Air
Tragically, the flight lasted less than a minute before disaster struck. Moments after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, the plane lost altitude and crashed into a residential building used to house BJ Medical College doctors.
Dr. Dhaval Gameti, President of the Junior Doctors’ Association, confirmed that the hospital received 270 bodies following the accident. Many in the medical community are also mourning colleagues and friends lost in the crash.
Regulatory Response: Safety Checks Intensified
In the wake of this tragedy, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has called for immediate safety inspections of all Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft in Air India’s fleet. The move has been described as a “preventive measure” to ensure flight safety across the board.
Leadership Visits: Support on Ground Zero
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on Friday, spending 20 minutes surveying the damage and speaking with local officials. He also met Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the lone survivor, and expressed hope for a full recovery, saying, “The entire nation is praying for him.”
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson also visited the site and hospital. In a short statement, he described the experience as “deeply moving” and extended condolences to all families affected.
This devastating crash has left a scar on the hearts of millions and raised urgent concerns over aviation safety standards. Investigations continue, and answers are expected in the coming weeks.
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