Authorities have recovered a black box from the wreckage of the Air India passenger plane that tragically crashed into a residential area of Ahmedabad City, India, yesterday. This devastating event resulted in the loss of at least 265 lives, including both passengers and residents on the ground.
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Rescue teams, aided by sniffer dogs, are meticulously searching the crash site of the aircraft, which was en route to London after taking off from Ahmedabad. The scene is one of heart-wrenching turmoil as search efforts continue.
Remarkably, one individual aboard the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner—a flight carrying 242 passengers and crew—survived the crash, which saw the plane’s tail protruding from the second floor of a nearby hostel for medical staff. Eyewitnesses reported that the front of the aircraft landed on a canteen building where students were having lunch, creating a grim tableau of chaos.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that the aircraft issued a mayday call and “crashed immediately after takeoff.” Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai reported that 265 bodies have been accounted for, indicating that at least 24 individuals lost their lives on the ground. As recovery efforts continue, this toll may increase.
In a statement last night, Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized, “The official number of deceased will be declared only after DNA testing is completed.” He added that, “families whose relatives are abroad have already been informed, and their DNA samples will be taken” to aid identification.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the affected area and described the incident as “heartbreaking beyond words.” According to Air India, the flight carried 169 Indian passengers, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian, alongside 12 crew members.
The sole survivor, a British national of Indian origin identified by local media as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is currently receiving medical treatment. His brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, shared, “He said, ‘I have no idea how I exited the plane.'” Family members gathered in Ahmedabad at an emergency center to provide DNA samples, hoping to identify their loved ones.
Among the grieving families was Ashfaque Nanabawa, 40, who came to look for his cousin Akeel, who was traveling with his wife and young daughter. Ashfaque recounted their last conversation: “He called us and he said: ‘I am in the plane and I have boarded safely and everything was okay.’ That was his last call.”
Ahmedabad, home to approximately eight million residents, is surrounded by densely populated residential areas where the crash occurred. In the aftermath, some buildings reportedly caught fire, adding to the chaos and despair.
Boeing, the aircraft’s manufacturer, stated that it is in communication with Air India and is prepared to offer support in light of this unfortunate incident. A source familiar with the matter noted that this marks the first recorded crash involving a 787 Dreamliner.
Investigation teams from the UK and US have announced their intent to collaborate with Indian authorities on this tragic event. Additionally, Tata Group, the owner of Air India, has pledged financial support of 10 million rupees (approximately €101,000) for each family affected by this catastrophe, along with assistance for medical expenses incurred by the injured.
The Indian airline industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, with Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), recently calling it “nothing short of phenomenal.” Despite this progress, India has faced its share of tragic air disasters, including the horrific 1996 mid-air collision that claimed nearly 350 lives and the 2010 Air India Express tragedy in Mangalore, where 158 of 166 passengers and crew perished.
While investigations continue, experts caution against prematurely speculating on the crash’s causes. As India emerges as the world’s fourth-largest air market, with projections suggesting it could become the third largest within the next decade, the industry must confront the challenges ahead with diligence and determination.
“In these difficult times, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” said Prime Minister Modi, reflecting the nation’s collective grief.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
