Ahmedabad Plane Crash: 87 Bodies Identified So Far, 42 Handed Over to Families; Cockpit Voice Recorder Recovered
The identification process of the victims in the devastating Ahmedabad plane crash continues, with 87 out of the 270 bodies identified so far. Of these, 42 bodies have been handed over to the families for last rites. In a major breakthrough for the investigation, officials have now recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), commonly referred to as the black box, which is expected to provide crucial insights into the cause of the crash.
Three days after the tragic accident involving Air India flight AI-171, the investigation has gained momentum. On Sunday, investigators confirmed the retrieval of the cockpit voice recorder, a significant development following the earlier recovery of the flight data recorder (FDR). Together, these black boxes are vital in piecing together the events that led to the crash, which claimed 270 lives, including 241 passengers onboard.
PM’s Principal Secretary Reviews Relief and Investigation Efforts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary, P.K. Mishra, visited the crash site in Ahmedabad and also inspected the Civil Hospital, where several injured passengers are being treated. During his visit, he was briefed on the recovery of both the FDR and CVR.
A high-level review meeting was held at the Circuit House under his chairmanship, attended by senior officials from the central and state governments, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and the Airports Authority of India. According to an official PIB release, the AAIB has launched a comprehensive probe into the incident, while the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting a parallel investigation under international aviation protocols, given that the aircraft was manufactured in the U.S.
Black Boxes Secured for Further Analysis
Officials informed P.K. Mishra that both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder have been secured. These devices are expected to play a pivotal role in determining the technical and human factors that may have led to the disaster.
The ill-fated Boeing 787-8 (Flight AI-171) was en route to London and crashed just moments after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft came down in the Meghani Nagar area, directly over the campus of B.J. Medical College, sparking a massive blaze. Among the deceased were 242 people onboard and 29 on the ground, including five MBBS students.
Former Gujarat CM Among Victims; DNA Identification Underway
DNA testing is being conducted to identify the badly burned remains. As of Sunday, 87 bodies had been identified through DNA matching, including that of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The state government declared a day of mourning in his honor, and his cremation is scheduled to take place in Rajkot on Monday evening, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah expected to attend. One of the identified victims is a foreign national, whose body has also been handed over to their family.
Updates on the Injured and the Deceased
Additional Civil Superintendent Dr. Rajneesh Patel confirmed that the 42 bodies returned to families were from various parts of Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Botad, and Kheda. Dr. Patel, a professor of surgery at B.J. Medical College, also reported that of the 51 injured individuals, 38 have been discharged, while 13 remain hospitalized. As the investigation continues and families begin the painful process of farewells, authorities are focusing on providing answers and accountability for one of the worst aviation disasters in India’s recent history.
