Authorities found a black box recorder at the crash site of a London-bound passenger jet that tragically crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad, India. The incident resulted in the deaths of at least 265 individuals on board and on the ground.
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner made a mayday call shortly before crashing on Thursday, just after taking off and reaching an altitude of 100 meters (330 feet).
Despite the devastating crash, one man survived from the 242 passengers and crew on board. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British citizen, shared his miraculous survival story from his hospital bed, recounting the terrifying experience.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai confirmed the count of 265 bodies, indicating that 24 individuals might have been killed on the ground. The death toll is expected to increase as more remains are recovered.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the affected area to assess the situation and meet with survivors. The emotional toll of the tragedy was evident as relatives of the victims gathered to provide DNA samples for identification purposes.
US aircraft manufacturer Boeing expressed readiness to assist Air India in the aftermath of the crash, which was reportedly the first involving a 787 Dreamliner. International air accident investigation agencies from the UK and US also pledged support to their Indian counterparts.
India's Tata Group, the owners of Air India, offered financial assistance to the families of the deceased and those injured in the tragic incident.
India's aviation sector has seen significant growth in recent years, with experts refraining from speculating on the cause of the crash. However, possibilities such as a bird strike leading to a double engine failure have been mentioned.
Source: GMA Network