The aftermath of the Air India Flight AI171 crash near Ahmedabad continues to unfold, with grieving relatives desperately seeking answers and closure in the wake of the tragedy. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday, leaving only one survivor, a British national named Vishwashkumar Ramesh.
Families are grappling with immense loss and are urgently seeking information about their loved ones. Many have traveled to Ahmedabad, the site of the crash, to identify remains and provide DNA samples to aid in the identification process. The process is slow and agonizing, with authorities relying heavily on DNA matching due to the extent of the damage caused by the crash and subsequent fire. Six bodies have been released to families so far after being identified based on facial features.
The disaster has triggered a wave of grief and mourning across India and the UK, as the flight carried a significant number of Indian and British nationals. King Charles has requested a minute of silence to be observed during the Trooping the Colour ceremony to honor the victims and their families.
In the face of this tragedy, families are demanding transparency and a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. The Indian government has formed a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to probe the cause of the crash, promising to submit a report within three months. The committee will have access to flight data, cockpit voice recordings, and maintenance records. India's civil aviation minister confirmed the recovery of the flight data recorder, also known as the "black box", which is expected to provide crucial insights into the final moments of the flight. A second black box has also been recovered. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the inquiry, with assistance from teams from the US and UK.
Air India has established assistance centers at various airports to support the families and loved ones of those on Flight AI171. These centers are facilitating travel to Ahmedabad and providing support during this difficult time. Tata Group, the owner of Air India, has announced compensation of approximately £86,000 (Rs 1 crore) to the families of each deceased passenger. Under the Montreal Convention, Air India is liable to pay a compensation amounting to 151,880 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) per deceased passenger, which could amount to Rs 1.8 crore.
The sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, is recovering in a local hospital. He recounted the horrific experience, stating that the crash occurred shortly after takeoff. His testimony may provide valuable clues about the events leading up to the tragedy.
As the investigation progresses, families are hoping for answers that will shed light on the cause of the crash and bring some measure of closure amidst their profound grief.
