NEW DELHI (AP) – Authorities began investigating one of India’s worst aviation disasters after an Air India plane crashed the day before, resulting in the deaths of 241 out of 242 passengers and crew onboard. The Indian government has launched a formal investigation into the tragic incident involving a London-bound Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff in a residential area of Ahmedabad, northwestern India, on Thursday.
Most of the bodies of the deceased victims were charred beyond recognition, complicating identification efforts. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced via social media that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has initiated an inquiry in accordance with global protocols established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. In addition, a team from the U.S. is expected to assist with the investigation, including experts from the National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, and General Electric.
As authorities continued to search for the crash site’s black boxes, which include the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, medical personnel, led by Akshay Dongardiv, national president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, began conducting DNA tests to identify the victims. Families of the victims congregated outside the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, heightening the emotional atmosphere amid the tragedy.
The ill-fated plane crashed into a building housing a medical college hostel, resulting in multiple fatalities among college students on the ground, while significant black smoke billowed from the crash site near Ahmedabad Airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the scene and the local hospital where the injured are being treated, is scheduled to meet with senior officials later that day.
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah disclosed that he met with the sole survivor of the crash at the hospital. The individual, identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, had suffered multiple injuries and was described as disoriented but reportedly out of danger. Another medical professional recounted that Ramesh had indicated the plane began descending immediately after takeoff and split in two before a loud explosion.
The Air India crash involved a 12-year-old Boeing 787, and while the exact cause of the accident remains unclear, it marks the first deadly incident for the aircraft model in 16 years of operation. According to aviation experts, there are approximately 1,200 Boeing 787 Dreamliners currently in service globally. This incident has raised concerns regarding the ongoing safety issues surrounding Boeing aircraft.
As investigations continue, the shocking loss of life and the circumstances surrounding this aviation disaster have left a profound impact on the nation and its aviation safety protocols. The search for answers regarding the causes of the crash and the subsequent measures required to enhance aviation safety remains a top priority for the Indian government.
