Air India has confirmed that 241 people on board have been killed, with Britton being the only survivor
Air India has just confirmed that 241 people have been killed in the flying AI171 collision. The airline said the only survivor is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.
In a statement posted to X, the airline said:
Air India represents the deepest sadness of the deceased family. Our efforts now focus entirely on the needs of all the people affected, their families and loved ones.
Air India's caregiver team has been deployed in Ahmedabad to support grieving families and local officials. The airline added that it is fully cooperating with the authorities leading the investigation.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787 on its way to London Gatwick, carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members when it hit a residential area.
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Updated with 15.57 EDT
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Air India has established friends and relative support centres in Gatwick, Mumbai, Dali and Ahmedabad airports to provide support in the wake of the AI171 crash on Thursday.
“These centres promote family trips to Ahmedabad,” the airline said in a post on X.
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One of two black boxes has been found, local media reports
One of two black boxes was discovered after yesterday's crash, reported by the local newspaper Hindustan Times.
Investigators are trying to quickly analyze this black box data. India-led crash investigations include experts from the UK's Aviation Accident Investigation Division due to the large number of UK casualties, the US National Road Safety Commission and Boeing.
Gwyn Topham, the Guardian transport correspondent, writes about the investigation and the history of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. You can read his report here.
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Updated with 22.44 EDT
Currently approaching 8am in Ahmedabad. There, mourning families provide DNA samples to identify missing relatives. Indian police said at least 265 bodies had been recovered from the scene – both from the plane's wreckage and the accommodation of medical staff where jets crashed. The toll could rise even further as more bodies are placed.
AFP spoke with family on the scene:
Ashfak Nanabawa, 40, said he began to find his cousin Akhir Nanabawa, who was with his wife and three-year-old daughter. He said his cousin spoke while sitting on the plane just before takeoff.
“He called us and said, 'I was on the plane, I was on the plane, I was on the board safely, everything was fine.' That was his last call. ”
Nanabawa spoke early on Friday morning and said he and his family had given him DNA samples but they weren't “body-identifying” yet.
Dozens of doctors were collecting DNA samples from the city halls.
“We took samples of babies over 80. There's no word to describe this,” the doctor said as he was not allowed to speak to the media on condition of anonymity.
“As a doctor, are you always prepared for the worst rights?” Medic added. “But this is just overwhelming. The family is crying, looking for answers.”
“One person came to hand over the sample… his children, wife and mother were in flight,” the doctor added. “What do I say too?”
The woman who was soaring to the point of giving her name, says that her step-son had been killed.
“My daughter doesn't know she's no longer there,” she said. “I can't beat her news, can someone else do that?”
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Air India's team of caregivers arrived in Ahmedabad last night and provided support to the ground team, the airline said. “We are working with local governments to provide the necessary assistance and expanding full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident,” Air India said in a statement.
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N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of TATA Group, which owns Air India, said he was “deeply struggling with tragic events, including Air India Flight 171.”
He said in a statement:
“There are no words to properly express the sadness we feel at this point. Our thoughts and prayers are with families who have lost loved ones and those who have been injured.
The Tata Group will provide 1 trillion rupees (116,456 USD) to each of the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. They also cover the health costs of the injured and ensure that they receive all the care and support they need.
Additionally, we will provide support in building hostels at BJ Medical.
We remain immovable in standing with our influenced families and communities in this unimaginable time.
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Following Boeing's CEO cancelled its trip to the Paris Air Show next week, aircraft engine maker GE Aerospace has postponed investor day, Reuters reports.
The company, whose engine was on a Boeing 787 plane, had planned an investor day on June 17th, matching the show.
The briefing was cancelled on Thursday, and he said the team would be bundled up to India to analyze data from the crashed plane.
“The senior leaders at GE Aerospace are focused on supporting customers and research,” the company said in a statement.
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The Indian government has launched a formal investigation into the cause of the crash. There are some pictures of Ahmedabad.
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According to British PA media, honor is being paid to the British, who are believed to be among the more than 240 people who died in the crash crash on Air India.
Northamptonshire Mayor Wellingborough, Raj Mishra, has called for people to gather as he announced the deaths of three from his community.
Among those who were lost were Raksa Moda, infant Rudra Moda, and MS K Mistri all from the Wellingborough community. I am deeply pathetic to their family, friends and to all those affected by this heartbreaking event. ”
The Gloucester Muslim community group said it “showed sincere and profoundly saddened dol” after it was reported that Akelenanabawa, his wife Hanna and daughter Sarah were among the victims.
In this moment of overwhelming sadness, our hearts are directed towards all those left behind. While we cannot truly relieve the pain of such a deep loss, we pray that families may find comfort in the vast pours of compassion and solidarity from communities around the world. ”
Fiongarh and Jamie Greenromeek, who run the spiritual wellness centre, were also said to be among the dead. Greenlow is said to have appeared on ITV's this morning. We'll talk about wellness and video online.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, considered the only survivor of the crash, was on the flight with his brother Ajay.
One of their relatives said that Vishwash spoke to his father after the crash and asked after his brother.
After crashing, he told his father worried that he was saying to his father, “Where is Ajay?”
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Sky News was able to speak with Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who is believed to be the sole survivor of the crash fall in Air India.
They say he was in the hospital ward since he left the aircraft. They said he was sitting in the bed, conscious and had many bruises on his arms and face.
A local doctor said that a British man was walking and that all the tests they did, except for a few wounds, showed that he was miraculously unharmed.
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Friends and family members of British people Akele Nanabawa and Hanna Volazy, who died along with their four-year-old daughter Sarah in the crash on Air India, were talking to the BBC.
Sarah is said to be “little the classroom” and “sunlight.”
Her primary school principal, Abdullah Samad, said the couple was renowned for their charity and generosity.
“They supported fundraising for humanitarian efforts in Gaza and for the healthcare of poor individuals in India. It was part of their service to the community,” he said.
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Boeing CEO Kelly Autoberg said in an email to staff seen by Reuters that he and executive vice president Stephanie Pope had been in touch with Air India leaders to provide their support.
He spoke with Jennifer Homendy, chairman of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, and said he had pledged to support the investigation process.
It also supports the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, as it is a major agency conducting accident investigations. ”
He added, “It's important to speculate about the accident and have investigators do their job.”
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