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RTÉ News
14-06-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Air India crash death toll hits 270, families wait for bodies
The death toll in the deadly Air India plane crash rose to 270, with families increasingly getting upset due to delays in handing over the bodies of those killed in the tragedy in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with 242 people on board bound for London's Gatwick Airport began losing height seconds after take-off on Thursday and erupted in a fireball as it hit buildings below, in what has been the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade. At least 270 bodies have been recovered from the site of the plane crash, the president of the Junior Doctors Association at B.J. Medical College, told reporters. Only one of the 242 passengers and crew survived while others were killed as the plane struck the medical college's hostel as it came down. The crisis has cast a shadow on Air India, which has for years struggled to rebuild its reputation and revamp its fleet after the Tata Group took over the airline from the Indian government in 2022. Tata's chairman said the group wants to understand what happened, but "we don't know right now." Air India and the Indian government were looking at several aspects of the crash including issues linked to its engine thrust, flaps, and why the landing gear remained open as the plane took off and then came down. Dozens of anxious family members have been waiting outside an Ahmedabad hospital to collect bodies of loved ones killed in the crash, as doctors were working overtime to gather dental samples from the deceased to run identification checks and DNA profiling. Rafiq Abdul Hafiz Memon, who lost four relatives in the incident, said he was not getting any answers from authorities and was "very hassled". "We have lost our children .. we are not understanding anything. Please help us get information about our children. Tell us when they are going to release their bodies," he said. Another father was upset about not able to get the body of his son, Harshad Patel, saying he was told by authorities it will take 72 hours for DNA profiling. "The authorities are trying to help but our patience is running out," he said. Most bodies in the crash were badly burned and authorities are using dental samples to run identification checks. Jaishankar Pillai, a forensic dentist, told reporters yesterday they had the dental records of 135 victims, which can then be matched through reference to victims' prior dental charts, radiographs or other records.
The Print
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Blackout in Bhuj, DM issues public notice for blanket ban on firecrackers
The Kutch district in Gujarat shares a border with Pakistan. According to Army officials, they have sighted drones at 26 locations from Baramulla in the North to Bhuj in the South —along both the Line of Control and International Border with Pakistan. Some are suspected to be armed drones posing potential threats to civilian and military targets. Kutch: The Bhuj area of Kutch district is witnessing an intense blackout, which started at 8 pm and will last till 6 am. People have closed their shops and small businesses and have been inside their homes. There was no movement of people after 8 pm. A ban on firecrackers is also in place. District Magistrate Anand Patel Friday issued a public notice banning the use of firecrackers across Kutch under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which empowers the DM to issue orders in urgent cases of apprehended danger. His order, issued in consultation with police officers from East and West Kutch, cites prevailing circumstances, referring to the cross-border tensions, and aims to prevent panic or unrest among residents. The ban applies to all kinds of firecrackers. Those found violating the order will face action, ranging from simple imprisonment and fines for minor offences to harsher penalties, under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023, which is for deterring disobedience to any order duly promulgated by a public servant. Police officers not below the rank of head constable have the authority to register complaints in such cases. The blackout announcement came as representatives of dozens of religious, social and charitable organisations met with district officials in Bhuj to express their support for the administrative efforts. At the meeting—attended by secretary incharge Harshad Patel, collector Anand Patel, Member of Parliament Vinod Chavda, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and senior officials—several groups pledged to observe voluntary blackouts, if required. 'We appeal to all citizens to turn off lights immediately upon hearing a blackout announcement. But I am glad that many groups look prepared to cooperate even without being asked,' collector Anand Patel said. Organisations assured the administration they would support with blood donation and food and water arrangements, if the situation demanded. District Panchayat president Janaksinh Jadeja was present at the meeting with MLAs Keshubhai Patel, Malti Maheshwari, Pradyumansinh Jadeja and Trikam Chhanga, along with representatives of local municipalities. Officials said the idea was to create a coordinated response mechanism in emergencies. 'This is not just a government responsibility—people's participation is equally important,' said an official at the meeting. Senior officers such as the drawing and disbursing officer Utsav Gautam, superintendent of police (East Kutch) Sagar Bagmar, additional collector D.P. Chauhan, and District Rural Development Agency director Nikunj Parikh attended the meeting too. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Centre empowers Army Chief to mobilise Territorial Army at will, but what is it
