
More than 250 Air India plane crash victims identified
More than 250 people killed in an India plane crash have been identified through DNA testing, a hospital official said on Sunday as specialists near a final toll for one of the worst air disasters in decades.
All but one of the 242 people on board the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner were killed when the Air India plane smashed into a residential area of Ahmedabad, where at least 38 more died.
Such was the level of destruction that more than two dozen believed killed remain unidentified 10 days after the jet came down.
"The results of the DNA sample matches for 251 have arrived," said Rakesh Joshi, medical superintendent at Ahmedabad's civil hospital.
The remains of 245 of them have been handed to relatives and include 176 Indians, 49 British, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and 12 identified publicly only as non-passengers.
"In my opinion, the DNA matching process will soon be completed," Joshi said in a video message.
"We are with the remaining families who will be informed by phone as soon as possible," he added.
The remains of 26 victims were flown to their families, including 10 to the United Kingdom.
Air India said Thursday the plane was "well-maintained" and that the pilots were accomplished flyers.
Investigators have retrieved the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder for analysis, as they attempt to find out what caused the London-bound jet to hurtle to the ground moments after takeoff.
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Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
More than 250 Air India plane crash victims identified
More than 250 people killed in an India plane crash have been identified through DNA testing, a hospital official said on Sunday as specialists near a final toll for one of the worst air disasters in decades. All but one of the 242 people on board the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner were killed when the Air India plane smashed into a residential area of Ahmedabad, where at least 38 more died. Such was the level of destruction that more than two dozen believed killed remain unidentified 10 days after the jet came down. "The results of the DNA sample matches for 251 have arrived," said Rakesh Joshi, medical superintendent at Ahmedabad's civil hospital. The remains of 245 of them have been handed to relatives and include 176 Indians, 49 British, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and 12 identified publicly only as non-passengers. "In my opinion, the DNA matching process will soon be completed," Joshi said in a video message. "We are with the remaining families who will be informed by phone as soon as possible," he added. The remains of 26 victims were flown to their families, including 10 to the United Kingdom. Air India said Thursday the plane was "well-maintained" and that the pilots were accomplished flyers. Investigators have retrieved the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder for analysis, as they attempt to find out what caused the London-bound jet to hurtle to the ground moments after takeoff.


Arabian Post
a day ago
- Arabian Post
Hydraulic Fault Grounds UK F‑35B in Kerala for Days
A British Royal Navy F‑35B Lightning II remains immobilised at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after declaring an emergency on 14 June. The pilot reported low fuel amid rough sea conditions over the Arabian Sea before the jet, deployed from HMS Prince of Wales during the Indo‑Pacific Operation Highmast, touched down at 21:28 IST. The Indian Air Force's Integrated Air Command and Control System coordinated the diversion alongside civilian air traffic control, declaring a full-scale emergency to ensure safe handling. Initial refuelling took place on Sunday under IAF supervision, but the aircraft could not return to the carrier due to a hydraulic system failure. Royal Navy technicians arrived via helicopter from the carrier that night and began repair operations, but their efforts remain unsuccessful six days on. Additional British and American technical personnel—possibly including Lockheed Martin experts—have since taken charge, while a larger maintenance team is expected. If repairs remain inconclusive, the jet may be airlifted back aboard a military transport aircraft. Valued at over $100 million, the F‑35B represents one of the world's most advanced and expensive combat aircraft, equipped with short take‑off and vertical landing capability, stealth design, networked sensors, and naval adaptability. Its unscheduled landing in India highlights both the logistical complexities of advanced military aviation and the robust coordination between allied forces. ADVERTISEMENT Security protocols have been stringent. The aircraft is stationed in Bay 4 under armed Central Industrial Security Force guard. The British team rejected offer to relocate it to a civilian hangar or protective shed, citing confidentiality concerns over sensitive systems, and insisted on repairs in open view under controlled conditions. Meanwhile, Royal Navy personnel, including the pilot and technicians, remain onsite with food and lodging provided by airport authorities, with Indian teams facilitating logistics throughout. The incident marks the first unscheduled landing of a foreign-manufactured F‑35 on Indian territory and comes amid growing UK‑India defence cooperation. The jet had been flying as part of joint maritime exercises, including PASSEX drills with INS Tabar and other British ships in the northern Arabian Sea on 9–10 June. Analysts have noted the deployment underscores interoperability and strategic alignment between both nations, rather than any response to Middle East tensions. Within 48 hours of landing, the aircraft had been refuelled and initially positioned for departure. However, the discovery of hydraulic malfunction extended its stay, prompting the dispatch of specialists from the UK and the US. Defence officials confirmed that the jet could be repatriated on a cargo plane if ground repairs remain unfeasible. The episode has drawn public attention not only for its rarity but also for the international coordination displayed. Local observers are closely watching developments, while military commentators underscore the necessity of emergency recovery airfields like Thiruvananthapuram for carrier-based operations during unpredictable monsoon-season weather. As of 20 June, the jet remains on the tarmac, awaiting either restoration or return via air transport. With a multinational technical team now assembled, a departure window is expected later this week—subject, of course, to successful hydraulic repair and formal clearances under Indian aviation protocols.


Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Gulf Today
Air India says plane 'well-maintained' before crash
Air India's Boeing plane was "well-maintained" before it crashed a week ago, killing all but one of 242 people on board, the airline said on Thursday. Indian authorities are yet to detail what caused the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to hurtle to the ground in the western city of Ahmedabad, where at least 38 people were also left dead. As investigators attempt to retrieve data from the plane's black boxes — the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder — the airline said that no problems were detected with the jet before the disaster. "The plane was well-maintained, with its last major check in June 2023," Air India said in a statement. "Its right engine was overhauled in March 2025, and the left engine was inspected in April 2025. Both the aircraft and engines were regularly monitored, showing no issues before the flight," the airline said. Relatives of Rajendra Patankar, victim of the Air India plane crash, grieve during his funeral procession in Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday. AP The London-bound jet burst into a fireball when it smashed into a residential area of Ahmedabad moments after takeoff. Initial checks since the crash on Air India's Dreamliners "did not reveal any major safety concerns", the country's civil aviation regulator said Tuesday. India's aviation investigative unit said Thursday the probe was "progressing steadily." "Key recovery work, including site documentation and evidence collection, has been completed, and further analysis is now underway," the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau said in a statement. Air India said there were 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese and a Canadian on board the flight, as well as 12 crew members. The airline said on Thursday the pilots were accomplished flyers. "The flight was led by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a highly experienced pilot and trainer with over 10,000 hours flying widebody aircraft," it said. "First Officer Clive Kunder, had over 3,400 hours of flying experience." While investigators try to piece together what went wrong, families of dozens of victims are still waiting for their loved ones to be identified. As of Thursday, 210 victims have been identified through DNA testing, state health minister Rushikesh Patel said. Agence France-Presse