Ahmedabad: Only one among the 242 people on board the London Gatwick-bound Air India flight AI-171 survived the horrific crash less than a minute after the plane took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon.
Not just the remaining 241 people on the ill-fated plane, many more have died on ground as the Dreamliner crashed into a hostel building of BJ Medical College, in a densely-populated residential area.
Around 25 medical students and staff of the hostel building are feared to have lost their lives, and many others are undergoing treatment.
Police officials told PTI that at least 265 bodies have been brought to the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. Several bodies are charred beyond recognition, and it would require DNA tests to possibly identify them correctly.
It was lunch time and students were at the canteen in large numbers when the Dreamliner crashed into the building.
Parts of the hostel, including the mess, were damaged, with images showing a part of the plane sticking out from a broken structure.
One of the black boxes, which hold the key to the cause of accident, has been recovered. Aviation officials said it was the black box from the rear of the plane.
Search is ongoing for the second black box, in the aircraft’s front portion.
Tata Group’s announcement
Tata Group announced it will provide Rs 1 crore to the families of each person who lost their lives in one of the deadliest crashes in recent times.
“We are deeply anguished by the tragic event involving Air India Flight 171. No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured,” Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said in a statement.
“Tata Group will provide Rs 1 crore to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy. We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support,” he added.
Tata Group also pledged to help rebuild the hostel building at BJ Medical College which was struck by the aircraft.
“Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the B J Medical’s hostel. We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time,” the chairman stated.
1.25 lakh litre of fuel burnt, no chance of survival, says Amit Shah
Union Minister Amit Shah, who visited the accident site along with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel on Thursday night, said efforts to save people from the Air India plane crash failed as the temperature rose to extreme levels due to the burning of 1.25 lakh litres of fuel on the aircraft.
“There was around 1.25 lakh litres of fuel on the aircraft. The temperature was also very high because of which there was no chance to save anyone,” Shah told reporters.
“Almost all the bodies have been recovered. We are in the process of collecting the DNA of the victims’ family members. The process will be completed in a couple of hours. We have informed all families of passengers living abroad. As soon as possible, we will collect their DNA samples too,” Shah added.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the investigation into the crash.
