The death toll from the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has now reached 279, making it one of the worst aviation disasters of the 21st century. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner issued a mayday call before crashing and bursting into flames, with only one survivor out of 242 passengers and crew on board. The crash also claimed the lives of at least 38 people on the ground.

Relatives of the victims have been providing DNA samples for identification, with the official casualty number pending until this process is completed. The passengers on board included individuals from India, the UK, Portugal, Canada, as well as 12 crew members. The lone survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, shared his astonishment at surviving the crash.

Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed the recovery of one of the plane's black box recorders, which will be crucial for the ongoing investigations. Forensic teams are still searching for the second black box to determine the cause of the crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff.

Boeing has expressed its readiness to support Air India in the aftermath of the incident, as this marks the first crash involving a 787 Dreamliner. The recovery of the black box is expected to provide valuable insights into the circumstances leading to the tragic crash.