Tragedy Strikes as Air India Dreamliner Crashes Near Ahmedabad: 300 Victims Identified Amid Mysterious Circumstances
The grim scene at the site of the plane crash near Ahmedabad airport in India is marked by devastation, with reports suggesting that identifying the bodies of the 300 victims could take an extensive amount of time, if it's even possible. A volunteer at the Civil Hospital expressed the heartbreaking reality to the BBC, stating that the many bodies are so severely charred and damaged that physical identification might be unfeasible, likening the process to "trying to separate ashes from ashes."
The Air India plane, en route to London from Ahmedabad, met with disaster just seconds after departure. The passenger list reveals a diverse group onboard, including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian.
In a miraculous turn of events, Viswash Kumar Ramesh, a British citizen who was returning home from vacation, survived the horrific incident. Ramesh, who was seated near an emergency exit, recounted his experience in a television interview, noting that it felt as though the plane was suspended in mid-air for ten seconds before the crash occurred, during which it appeared to struggle for ascent. The aircraft impacted buildings, and its tail became lodged in the dining hall of a medical faculty. The crash was also deadly for ten individuals on the ground.
On Friday afternoon, the plane's black box was discovered, a crucial piece of evidence in determining the cause of the crash. These black boxes, which come as two resilient units, are designed to withstand extreme conditions and record cockpit conversations as well as flight data. While this finding is expected to accelerate the investigation, the root cause of the horrific accident remains unknown. Investigations into air crashes can be protracted and complex, often taking months or even years to conclude, with potential causes ranging from equipment failure and inadequate maintenance to bird strikes or pilot error.
Surveillance footage and images from the crash site have sparked numerous inquiries; notably, the position of the aircraft's nose, which pointed skyward at the time of impact, raises eyebrows as this is an atypical orientation during such incidents. The incident involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, previously deemed a safe aircraft model with no prior fatalities since its inception in 2011, casts a shadow on its safety record. The pilots of the flight were reported to have been highly coordinated, having flown together for years, further complicating the enigma surrounding this tragedy.
Air India has historically prioritized safety, especially after encountering several accidents, with the last major incident occurring in 2020 involving an Air India Express jet that broke apart on a rain-soaked runway in Kerala, resulting in the loss of 17 lives. Another tragic Air India Express incident took place in Mangalore in 2010, where an aircraft caught fire, claiming over 150 lives.
Factually, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has garnered acclaim for its fuel efficiency and modern design, with over 1,100 units currently in operation. The Ahmedabad crash stands out as the first fatality linked to this aircraft model since its launch. Data from Flightradar indicates the plane had reached an altitude of 190 meters when it crashed under undisclosed circumstances.
However, it's worth noting that Boeing has faced scrutiny due to its safety record in recent years, particularly infamous were the crashes of the 737 Max 8 model that resulted in 189 and 157 fatalities, respectively, prompting a global ban on the aircraft model for an extended period.
As investigations continue, the families of the victims seek answers amidst unimaginable sorrow and loss, holding onto hope for clarity in the face of tragedy.
Related Sources: