Additional Coverage:
Ahmedabad, India – The search continues for victims of Thursday’s devastating Air India crash, now considered one of the worst aviation disasters in India’s history. As of Saturday, the death toll stands at 270, with 241 passengers and crew perishing alongside at least 29 people on the ground. The Boeing 787, bound for London, crashed into a medical college hostel shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad.
Recovery teams worked late into Friday night, recovering 25 more bodies from the wreckage. Dr.
Dhaval Gameti at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital confirmed the grim tally of 270 bodies received. Remarkably, one passenger survived the crash and is expected to be discharged soon.
The difficult process of identifying victims is underway, with hundreds of relatives providing DNA samples. The condition of many of the bodies has made visual identification impossible, leading to understandable frustration among families desperate for answers.
Authorities are working to expedite the DNA matching process, which typically takes up to 72 hours. Some relatives have voiced their anguish and questioned the government’s response.
In addition to the ongoing investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, the Indian government has established a high-level committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash and develop future preventative measures. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu announced inspections of Air India’s entire Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, with eight of the 34 aircraft already examined.
The recovery of the flight data recorder, often referred to as the “black box,” is a crucial step in the investigation. Experts believe the data retrieved from the device, along with the cockpit voice recorder, will shed light on the factors contributing to the tragedy.
Investigators are considering various possibilities, including wing flap settings, engine performance, cockpit alarms, and the accuracy of logged data regarding temperature, fuel weight, and passenger load. Early findings could be available as early as next week.
This incident marks the first fatal crash for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model in operation for 16 years with approximately 1,200 aircraft worldwide. This crash involving a 12-year-old 787 comes as Boeing faces continued scrutiny over safety concerns related to other aircraft types.