US officials survey Air India crash site: families await victim identifications

This report covers the aftermath of the Air India Boeing Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, focusing on the ongoing investigation led by Indian and US authorities. It highlights the emotional toll on families awaiting DNA identification of victims and the scale of the disaster, including the largest aviation insurance payout in India’s history.

Sources:
BBCBbcIndependent+1
Updated 1h ago
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Sources: DawnBbcIndependent
US officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have surveyed the crash site of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad, where the plane tragically crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 270 people and leaving one survivor.

The London-bound flight, carrying 242 passengers and crew, erupted in a fireball as it hit a residential area. “Thrust not achieved... falling... Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” were the pilot’s final distress calls, according to Indian aviation officials.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the inquiry, with technical support from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and assistance from the NTSB.

Families of victims await DNA profiling to identify charred bodies, as doctors resort to dental samples and DNA tests due to the severity of the fire damage.

Among the victims are notable individuals including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and families from London and Dorset. The airline has announced interim payments of Rs2.5 million (about £21,000) to families, supplementing previous support.

The crash is expected to trigger India’s largest aviation insurance payout, with estimates ranging from £166 million to £220 million.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and hospitals, expressing national grief and prayers for the injured.

“The entire nation is praying for their speedy recovery,” Modi said.

The Boeing 787-8, 11 years old with 25 previous flights on this route, was en route to London Gatwick when it lost height seconds after takeoff.

This disaster marks the worst aviation tragedy in a decade, with ongoing investigations aiming to determine the cause and prevent future incidents.
Sources: DawnBbc
US officials from the National Transportation Safety Board surveyed the Air India crash site in Ahmedabad, where 270 bodies have been recovered after a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed, killing all but one of 242 onboard. Families await DNA identification of victims amid ongoing investigations led by India’s AAIB.
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The Headline

US officials survey crash site as families await victim IDs

Key Facts
  • The Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad to London, killing at least 270 people and erupting in a fireball as it hit buildings in a residential area.BBCBbcIndependent+1
  • Pilot's last words were Mayday distress calls indicating thrust failure before the crash: “Thrust not achieved... falling... Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!”Independent
  • India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site, spent around 20 minutes walking around, and met injured victims, saying the entire nation is praying for their speedy recovery.Bbc
  • US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA officials joined India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in the inquiry and surveyed the crash site.DawnBbc
  • Dental samples and DNA profiling are being used to identify charred bodies of victims as doctors struggle with identification.Dawn
  • Air India announced interim payments of Rs2.5m (£21,000) to families of the deceased and survivors to address immediate financial needs, in addition to previous support from the Tata Group.Independent
  • The crash is expected to trigger India’s largest aviation insurance payout, estimated between £166m to £220m.Independent
  • Families anxiously await recovery and identification of victims as US officials survey the crash site.Dawn
The London-bound aircraft crashed into a residential area shortly after take-off killing all but one of the 242 passengers and crew members, a 40-year-old British man.
Bbc
Bbc
Indian aviation officials have confirmed that the final words of the pilot of the , moments before the plane near s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, were Mayday distress calls. Thrust not achieved... falling... Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! the pilot said before the catastrophic crash that killed at least 270 people on Thursday.
Independent
Independent
Officials from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) surveyed the site of Air India that killed at least 271 people, sources said on Sunday, with families continuing to wait for DNA profiling results to identify charred bodies.
Dawn
Dawn
Key Stats at a Glance
Interim payment to families and survivors
₹ 2.5m (£21,000)
Independent
Previous support by Tata Group
₹ 10m (£85,000)
Independent
Estimated aviation insurance payout
£166m to £220m
Independent

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Background Context

Background on aircraft, survivor, and identified victims

Key Facts
  • The Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 was 11 years old and had operated 25 flights from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick in the past two years, according to Flightradar24 data.Bbc
  • One survivor was a 40-year-old British man; all other 241 passengers and crew died in the crash.Bbc
  • Several identified victims include families and individuals from the UK and India, such as Hardik Avaiya and Vibhooti Patel, Prateek Joshi and family, Hemaxi Shantilal and Girish Lagli with children, Ketan Shah, and former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani.BBC
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