Ahmedabad: The confirmed death toll from the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has climbed to 270, as grief-stricken families express growing frustration over delays in identifying and releasing the bodies of the victims.
The tragedy unfolded on Thursday when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to Gatwick Airport in the UK with 242 people onboard, lost altitude moments after takeoff. The aircraft crashed into nearby buildings in a fiery explosion, marking the deadliest aviation disaster globally in the past ten years.
According to Dhaval Gameti, head of the Junior Doctors Association at B.J. Medical College, at least 270 bodies have been recovered. Remarkably, only one person survived the crash, while the rest perished as the plane slammed into a hostel connected to the medical college.
The incident has intensified scrutiny on Air India, which has faced ongoing challenges in restoring its image and modernising operations since being acquired by the Tata Group from the Indian government in 2022. Tata Group Chairman stated on Friday that the company is committed to uncovering the cause of the accident, though concrete answers remain elusive.
Investigations are underway into multiple potential technical failures, including issues with the aircraft’s engine thrust, flap settings, and the unusual circumstance of the landing gear being extended during takeoff.
Outside the Ahmedabad hospital, scores of distressed relatives have gathered, awaiting the identification of remains. Medical staff, including forensic teams, are working tirelessly to collect dental evidence and conduct DNA tests due to the severe burns suffered by most victims.
Rafiq Abdul Hafiz Memon, who lost four family members, voiced his anguish, saying he was not receiving clear updates from officials. “We’ve lost our children... we are lost ourselves. We just want information—please tell us when the bodies will be released,” he pleaded.
Another grieving father, awaiting his son Harshad Patel’s remains, said he was told the DNA identification process could take up to 72 hours. “They’re doing their best, but our patience is wearing thin,” he said.
Forensic dentist Jaishankar Pillai reported that dental records for 135 victims have been retrieved so far, which will be compared with existing medical documentation to confirm identities.
The aftermath of the crash continues to unfold as families demand transparency and timely handling of the tragedy’s human cost.
