The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) successfully recovered the black box from the wreckage of Air India Flight AI-171 on Friday evening, a crucial development in the ongoing investigation into the deadly crash that claimed at least 241 lives on Thursday. As of now, there is no official count on the number of casualties on the ground. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the accident site on Friday to assess the situation. In a statement posted on social media, the Prime Minister expressed his sorrow over the tragedy:
“The scene of devastation is saddening. Our thoughts remain with those who
lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy.” Following his visit,
PM Modi chaired a review meeting at Ahmedabad Airport, bringing together
top authorities to discuss next steps in the response to the incident. He also
reached out to Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the crash,
offering his support and inquiring about his condition. The Prime Minister also
met several injured individuals who were hospitalized following the crash. British
High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, met PM Modi in Ahmedabad and
expressed the UK’s commitment to working with India to ascertain the facts
surrounding the crash. The AAIB has formally launched an investigation
into the tragic incident. Meanwhile, Ahmedabad City Police have
registered a case of accidental death. In addition, officials from the
National Investigation Agency (NIA), along with representatives from other
central agencies, visited the crash site in Meghaninagar on Friday to
assist with the inquiry.
Out of the 265 bodies brought to Ahmedabad Civil
Hospital for post-mortem examination on Thursday, six have been identified,
and their bodies were handed over to the relatives. However, many victims'
bodies were severely charred, making visual identification impossible.
Authorities have initiated DNA profiling to determine the identities of
the remaining victims. Inspector Chirag Gosai from Ahmedabad Police
mentioned, “Relatives of 215 deceased persons have already approached us to
provide DNA samples.” He added that the process of matching DNA samples is
expected to take up to 72 hours. Once a match is found, the
corresponding bodies will be handed over to the relatives.
The wreckage of the aircraft was nearly obliterated by a
massive explosion caused by its fully laden fuel tanks, which contained
approximately 125,000 liters of aviation turbine fuel. Aside from some
fragments of the wings and one engine cover, the aircraft itself appeared to
have been entirely destroyed.
The black box was recovered from the roof of the B.J.
Medical College hostel mess building, which had been struck by part of the
plane’s wreckage. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed the
recovery of the Flight Data Recorder (Black Box) within 28 hours
of the accident.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and Rajesh Dogra,
the airline's Chief Customer Experience Officer, also visited the crash
site to offer their support and coordinate with authorities on the ground.
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