Ahmedabad – Habibullah Khan
In a tragic aviation disaster, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Flight AI-171) bound for London crashed just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport on Thursday. The aircraft was carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members. As of the latest reports, the death toll has risen to 275, with only one passenger surviving the crash.
The aircraft crashed into the hostel building of B.J. Medical College, where over 60 doctors, students, and staff were present at the time. Of these, 34 people are confirmed dead. Among the deceased are 10 doctors and their relatives, including the pregnant wife of a neurosurgeon.
Rescue operations continued through the night, with over 100 workers and 40 engineers involved in clearing the wreckage. After 28 hours, investigators recovered the black box from the mess roof of the medical college hostel, which is expected to provide crucial information to determine the cause of the crash.
DNA Sampling and Victim Identification
So far, 7 victims have been identified and handed over to their families. DNA samples of 241 victims have been collected and are being processed at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. Authorities are working closely with families to ensure a smooth and respectful identification process.
One of the victims recently identified is MBBS student Jai Prakash Chaudhary, whose body was confirmed by family on Friday after he was initially reported missing.
Multi-Agency Investigation Underway
The crash is now the subject of an extensive investigation involving eight agencies:
- National Investigation Agency (NIA)
- Gujarat Police
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
- UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (UK-AAIB)
- US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Authorities remain on high alert as the nation mourns one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Indian history. Further details on the cause of the crash are expected once the black box is fully analyzed.
