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
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has recalled the legislature to draw the congressional map.

US Elections Paused for Government Redistricting Process

The Secretary of State, Nancy Landry, has announced the suspension of the…

Iran’s Supreme Leader Announces Intent to Sustain Influence Over the Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s supreme leader has pledged to defend the nation’s nuclear and missile…

Scientists Close to Unraveling the Daily Mystery We All Experience

An inquisitive group of researchers, with some extra time on their hands,…
Ms Bayer Rosmarin was called upon to front up to a Senate inquiry about what went wrong on Wednesday November 8, when customers around Australia woke up to no service

Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin Breaks Silence on Prolonged Response During Australia’s Largest Network Outage Amid Senate Inquiry

In a tense moment outside Parliament House, a TV reporter seemed to…
Mother's grief as five-year-old murdered

Indigenous Commissioner’s Striking ‘Cannot Recall’ Admission Raises Questions and Sparks Dialogue

An Indigenous leader’s frank admission has laid bare the history between authorities…

UK Police Charge Essa Suleiman in Connection with Stabbing Incident

IN BRIEF UK police have charged a 45-year-old man over the stabbing…
The stabbing occurred on Broadway in Reservoir around 11am.

Legal Loophole to Be Addressed as Alleged Paramedic Attacker Faces Court Proceedings

A man will remain incarcerated after appearing in court on charges of…

Discover Which Nation Has Surpassed All Others as Australia’s Leading Source of Migration

In brief India, England, China, New Zealand and the Philippines are the…
The stabbing occurred on Broadway in Reservoir around 11am.

Paramedic Stabbing Incident Leads to Arrest Following Coffee Break Altercation

A man has been arrested after a paramedic was stabbed in the…
Supreme Leader pledges 'new chapter' for Iran

Iran’s Supreme Leader Announces Ambitious Plans for a ‘New Chapter

In a recent post on Truth Social, former U.S. President Donald Trump…
After copping online criticism for her eye-catching welcome party wedding dress, Aussie plus-sized model Riley Hemson has flaunted her very revealing reception ensemble

Plus-Size Model Shuts Down Critics with Bold and Daring Reception Look After Wedding Dress Controversy

After facing online backlash for her wedding dress choice, a plus-sized model…
Wet and windy start to May as storms sweep nation's south

Storms Bring Wet and Windy Conditions to Southern Regions at May’s Outset

As the week concludes, southern Australia is bracing for a shift in…