Death toll in Indian plane crash climbs as authorities race to identify victims
Share this @internewscast.com
Search and recovery teams continued scouring the site of one of India’s worst aviation disasters for a third day after the Air India flight fell from the sky and killed at least 270 people in Gujarat state, officials said on Saturday.

Recovery teams working until late on Friday found at least 25 more bodies in the debris, officials said.

Ayub sheikh gestures angrily as he waits for the bodies of four relatives who died in the Air India plane crash, at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) (AP)

Dr. Dhaval Gameti at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad told The Associated Press the facility had received 270 bodies, adding that the lone surviving passenger was still under observation for some of his wounds.

“He is doing very well and will be ready to be discharged anytime soon,” Gameti said on Saturday.

Hundreds of relatives of the crash victims have provided DNA samples at the hospital. Most bodies were charred or mutilated, making them unrecognisable.

Some relatives expressed frustration Saturday that the process was taking too long. Authorities say it normally takes up to 72 hours to complete DNA matching, and they are expediting the process.

“Where are my children? Did you recover them?” asked Rafiq Abdullah, whose nephew, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren were on the flight.

“I will have to ask questions. Government is not answering these questions.”

Salma Rafiq Memon, in white scarf, gestures angrily as she speaks to media personnel while waiting for the bodies of four relatives who died in the Air India plane crash, at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) (AP)

Another relative persistently asked hospital staff when his relative’s body would be handed over to the family for last rites.

“Give us the body,” the relative insisted.

Alongside the formal investigation, the Indian government says it has formed a high-level, multi-disciplinary committee to examine the causes leading to the crash.

The committee will focus on formulating procedures to prevent and handle aircraft emergencies in the future and “will not be a substitute to other enquiries being conducted by relevant organisations,” the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a statement.

Relatives of the victims, who died in the Air India plane crash, wait outside the DNA collection center at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) (AP)

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau said it had started working with “full force” to extract the data.

The device is expected to reveal information about the engine and control settings, while the voice recorder will provide cockpit conversations, said Paul Fromme, a mechanical engineer with the UK-based Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti, a former crash investigator for both the US National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration, said investigators should be able to answer some important questions about what caused the crash as soon as next week as long as the flight data recorder is in good shape.

Onlookers watch wreckage from Thursday’s Air India plane crash lying atop a building in Ahmedabad, India, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) (AP)

Investigators likely are looking at whether wing flaps were set correctly, the engine lost power, alarms were going off inside the cockpit and if the plane’s crew correctly logged information about the hot temperature outside and the weight of the fuel and passengers, Guzzetti said.

Mistakes in the data could result in the wing flaps being set incorrectly, he said.

Thursday’s Air India crash involved a 12-year-old Boeing 787. Boeing planes have been plagued by safety issues on other types of aircraft.

There are currently around 1200 of the 787 Dreamliner aircraft worldwide, and this was the first deadly crash in 16 years of operation, according to experts.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Iran fires another round of missiles at Israel

Iran Launches Additional Missiles Targeting Israel

Iran fired missiles at Israel for the second consecutive night, as Israel…

“Tens of Thousands Rally Against Trump Nationwide: Key Points to Know About the ‘No Kings’ Protests”

Hundreds of thousands of Americans are protesting President Donald Trump’s policies at…

New Solar Battery Discounts Starting July 1st: Exploring Affordable Alternatives

Homeowners hoping to reduce their power bills by installing solar panels are…

Indonesian Authorities Pursue Suspects After Australian Man Fatally Shot in Bali

Key Points Indonesian police are looking for two suspects after Australians were…
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese departs Nadi at the conclusion of his visit to Fiji, on Saturday 14 June 2025. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Prime Minister Announces Initial In-Person Meeting with US President Donald Trump

The leaders will meet on Wednesday on the sidelines of the G7…
This image provided by the FBI on Saturday, June 14, 2025, shows part of a poster with photos of Vance L. Boelter

Latest Insights on the Suspect in the Minnesota Shooting

The individual pursued by US law enforcement on suspicion of shooting Democratic…
Democrat leader killed in 'politically motivated assassination'

Democratic Leader Assassinated in Suspected Politically Motivated Attack

A Democratic state representative and her spouse have been fatally shot in…

Gaps in Australia’s Awareness of ‘Forever Chemicals’ — and How to Lower Your Exposure

Many Australians have some amount of PFAS, commonly referred to as forever…

Mosaic Brands Accused of Trading While Unable to Pay Debts for Years

Administrators for Australia’s largest specialty fashion group, Mosaic Brands, have suggested in…
Sole survivors: How people live through plane crashes that kill everyone else

Lone Survivors: Stories of Those Who Endure Plane Crashes That Claim All Other Lives

The world was shocked by the plane crash in India that killed…

Following ‘No Kings’ Demonstrations, Trump Marks Birthday with Massive Military Parade

On Sunday, President Donald Trump’s much-anticipated military parade proceeded through downtown Washington…
Tanks and troops to rumble through Washington for dual celebration

Military Parade to March Through Washington for Double Celebration

Tanks, troops, and marching bands have gathered in Washington, DC, for a…