The aftermath of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad continues to unfold, with the confirmed death toll reaching at least 270, including passengers, crew, and individuals on the ground. As rescue and recovery teams meticulously comb through the wreckage, families are grappling with the agonizing wait for identification of their loved ones. Amidst this chaos, a distressing case has emerged: a local filmmaker, Mahesh Kalawadia, also known as Mahesh Jirawala, has been reported missing since the day of the crash, raising fears that he may be among the victims on the ground.
Kalawadia, a resident of Naroda and a music album director, had reportedly gone to Law Garden for a meeting on Thursday. According to his wife, Hetal, he contacted her around 1:14 PM, stating that he was on his way home. However, he never reached his destination. Frantic attempts to reach him went unanswered, as his phone was switched off. The family's distress intensified when police investigations revealed that the last known location of Kalawadia's mobile phone was approximately 700 meters from the crash site. The phone was switched off around 1:40 PM, coinciding with the time the ill-fated flight took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Compounding the family's worries, Kalawadia's scooter is also missing.
Hetal Kalawadia expressed her deep concern, stating that it was unusual for her husband to take that particular route home. Overcome with anxiety, the family has submitted DNA samples to authorities, hoping to ascertain whether he was among those who perished on the ground due to the devastating crash.
The Air India Flight AI-171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday, impacting a medical college campus in Meghaninagar. The crash resulted in a massive fire, leaving many bodies charred beyond recognition. Authorities are relying on DNA testing to identify the victims, a process that is both time-consuming and emotionally taxing for the grieving families.
Hospital authorities have confirmed the identification of 47 victims through DNA matching so far, and 24 bodies have been handed over to their families. The identification process is ongoing.
The tragic incident has prompted a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has stated that all 34 of Air India's Dreamliner aircraft are undergoing extended surveillance. The flight's black box has been recovered.
The disappearance of Mahesh Kalawadia adds another layer of sorrow to this tragedy. His family now faces the agonizing uncertainty of waiting for news, hoping against hope that he is safe while simultaneously bracing themselves for the possibility that he may be among the unidentified victims of the crash. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash, impacting not only the passengers and crew but also the lives of those living in the surrounding community.
