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Sunday, Jun 15, 2025
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Investigation Underway Following Air India Flight 171 Crash Near Ahmedabad
Authorities confirm over 270 fatalities as the search for answers begins after one of India's deadliest aviation disasters.
The crash of Air India Flight 171 shortly after its departure from Ahmedabad Airport has resulted in the tragic loss of more than 270 lives.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was en route to London when it sent out a distress call moments after takeoff, with Captain Sumeet Sabharwal reporting an emergency to air traffic control at 1:39 PM. According to aviation authorities, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 650 feet before descending rapidly and crashing into a hostel in Meghani Nagar, just two kilometers from the airport.
The collision with the medical college hostel resulted in the death of nearly all 242 passengers and crew on board, with only one survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who sustained injuries.
Reports indicate that the crash also caused significant fatalities on the ground, including students and locals.
Initial recovery operations have uncovered 270 bodies, and identification efforts are ongoing, complicated by the condition of the remains.
In a press briefing, Samir Kumar Sinha, secretary for India’s aviation ministry, stated that the flight data recorder, commonly referred to as the black box, has been retrieved and is undergoing analysis.
A complete assessment is expected within three months, as investigators work to determine the causes behind the disaster.
A team of four UK aviation experts has been dispatched to assist in the investigation.
The response from the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad reported that, as of Saturday morning, only 11 DNA matches had been made.
Families of the victims have expressed growing frustration over the delay in the return of remains.
Authorities have stressed the complexity of identifying heavily charred bodies, with warnings that some families may receive their loved ones’ remains in a fragmented state rather than whole.
Mourning families have gathered outside the hospital, desperate for news and identification information.
Among those lost were several families from the UK, including British citizens returning from trips to visit relatives in India.
The deceased comprised individuals from diverse backgrounds, with 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, and other foreign nationals, raising concerns over the impact of the tragedy across global communities.
As the investigation unfolds, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met with Ramesh in the hospital.
Modi described the tragedy as a national calamity, and the government assured that all possible steps would be taken to uncover the cause of the crash.
Witness accounts and expert evaluations will form a key part of the investigation, with special attention given to any technical failures or procedural errors that may have contributed to the incident.
The crash has triggered heightened scrutiny of Air India's operational safety protocols, particularly concerning its fleet of Boeing 787s.
The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is recovering under medical supervision and has shared his harrowing experience during and after the crash.
As authorities continue to sift through wreckage and debris, investigation teams remain focused on uncovering every detail that may explain what led to this catastrophic event.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was en route to London when it sent out a distress call moments after takeoff, with Captain Sumeet Sabharwal reporting an emergency to air traffic control at 1:39 PM. According to aviation authorities, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 650 feet before descending rapidly and crashing into a hostel in Meghani Nagar, just two kilometers from the airport.
The collision with the medical college hostel resulted in the death of nearly all 242 passengers and crew on board, with only one survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who sustained injuries.
Reports indicate that the crash also caused significant fatalities on the ground, including students and locals.
Initial recovery operations have uncovered 270 bodies, and identification efforts are ongoing, complicated by the condition of the remains.
In a press briefing, Samir Kumar Sinha, secretary for India’s aviation ministry, stated that the flight data recorder, commonly referred to as the black box, has been retrieved and is undergoing analysis.
A complete assessment is expected within three months, as investigators work to determine the causes behind the disaster.
A team of four UK aviation experts has been dispatched to assist in the investigation.
The response from the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad reported that, as of Saturday morning, only 11 DNA matches had been made.
Families of the victims have expressed growing frustration over the delay in the return of remains.
Authorities have stressed the complexity of identifying heavily charred bodies, with warnings that some families may receive their loved ones’ remains in a fragmented state rather than whole.
Mourning families have gathered outside the hospital, desperate for news and identification information.
Among those lost were several families from the UK, including British citizens returning from trips to visit relatives in India.
The deceased comprised individuals from diverse backgrounds, with 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, and other foreign nationals, raising concerns over the impact of the tragedy across global communities.
As the investigation unfolds, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met with Ramesh in the hospital.
Modi described the tragedy as a national calamity, and the government assured that all possible steps would be taken to uncover the cause of the crash.
Witness accounts and expert evaluations will form a key part of the investigation, with special attention given to any technical failures or procedural errors that may have contributed to the incident.
The crash has triggered heightened scrutiny of Air India's operational safety protocols, particularly concerning its fleet of Boeing 787s.
The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is recovering under medical supervision and has shared his harrowing experience during and after the crash.
As authorities continue to sift through wreckage and debris, investigation teams remain focused on uncovering every detail that may explain what led to this catastrophic event.
