Around 100 people gathered outside the High Commission of India in London on Sunday to mourn the victims of a tragic plane crash. Many attendees lit candles in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the disaster.
A community leader shared that they had been in contact with a family who had flown to India to identify the remains of their loved ones. This family is currently waiting for the results of DNA matching at the hospital.
The gathering highlighted a common desire for answers regarding how and why the crash occurred. The inquiry is being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from teams in the US and UK.
On Friday, a crucial piece of evidence, the black box, was recovered from the crash site. India’s civil aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, stated that this would greatly help the investigation.
The incident took place shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Less than a minute into the flight, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed into a building that housed doctors at the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital.
Dr. Dhaval Gameti, president of the Junior Doctors’ Association at the college, confirmed that the hospital received the bodies of 270 victims. Among these, 241 are believed to be passengers and crew from Flight AI171. So far, more than thirty victims have been identified using DNA samples provided by their relatives.
The Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 involved in the crash was 11 years old and had completed 25 flights from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick in the past two years, according to data from Flightradar24.
In response to the crash, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered extra safety checks on Air India’s Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleet as a precautionary measure.
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site, spending about 20 minutes there. He also went to the hospital to meet some of the injured, including the sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh. Modi expressed that the entire nation is praying for their recovery.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson also visited the crash site, describing the experience as deeply moving. The tragedy continues to resonate with many, as the community seeks closure and understanding in the wake of this heartbreaking event.