Rescue teams have continued their search at the site of one of India’s largest aviation disasters for the third consecutive day, following the Air India plane crash that has left at least 270 people dead in the state of Gujarat, officials said on Saturday.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which was flying to London, struck a medical college dormitory in a residential area of the northwestern city of Ahmedabad minutes after taking off on Thursday. The crash killed 241 people on board and at least 29 others on the ground.
One passenger survived the crash. Teams, working late into Friday, found at least 25 more bodies under the rubble, according to officials.
Hospital Reports and Family Frustration
Dr. Dhaval Gameti from the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad told The Associated Press that the hospital has received 270 bodies, adding that the sole surviving passenger is still under observation due to his injuries. “He is improving quickly and is expected to be discharged from the hospital soon,” Gameti said on Saturday.
Hundreds of victims’ relatives have provided DNA samples at the hospital. Most bodies were burned or dismembered, making identification nearly impossible. Some relatives expressed frustration on Saturday over delays in identifying victims. Authorities stated that it typically takes up to 72 hours to complete DNA matching and that they are accelerating procedures.
“Where are my children? Have you found them?” asked Rafiq Abdullah, whose daughter-in-law and two grandchildren were on the plane. “I will have to ask questions. The government is not providing answers.” Another relative urged hospital staff to release their family member’s body for burial. “Give us the body,” he pleaded.
Investigation Underway
In addition to official investigations, the Indian government announced it has formed a high-level, multidisciplinary committee to examine the causes of the plane crash. The committee will focus on drafting procedures to prevent and address future air emergencies and “will not replace other investigations being carried out by relevant organizations,” according to a statement from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Investigators on Friday located the aircraft’s digital flight data recorder, or “black box,” which was found on a roof near the accident site and is expected to help uncover the causes of the accident. The Indian Bureau of Air Accident Investigation stated it has begun working with “full force” to retrieve the data.
