Ahmedabad, India, (EFE).- Indian authorities have recovered at least 240 bodies following the crash of Air India flight Al-171, a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner that went down Thursday in the western city of Ahmedabad. The government confirmed that only one person survived the disaster.
The aircraft, which was carrying 242 people, 230 engers, and 12 crew, crashed into a student residence on the campus of BJ Medical College during lunchtime, a time when many students were reportedly inside.
The official body count exceeds the number of engers, suggesting dozens of fatalities on the ground.
Authorities clarified that the death toll was more than 240, revising down a previous toll of 294 as it included body parts that had been double counted. It was not immediately clear how many of the dead had been on the aircraft or on the ground.
Plane hit university dorm at lunchtime
Eyewitnesses and TV footage showed parts of the aircraft’s fuselage embedded in the building after smashing through concrete walls.
The impact caused a massive fire, fueled by nearly 125,000 liters of aviation fuel on board.
“The temperature was so extreme that there was no chance of saving anyone,” said Home Minister Amit Shah, who confirmed that only one survivor had been pulled from the wreckage.
The lone survivor has been identified by Indian media as Ramesh Vishwakumar, a 38-year-old British citizen, who was seated in 11A at the time of the crash.
Television footage captured a man, presumed to be Vishwakumar, walking unaided to an ambulance shortly after the crash.
Among those killed was Vijay Rupani, the former chief minister of Gujarat state and a senior political figure.
DNA testing to confirm victim identities
Authorities have launched a massive DNA identification effort, as the condition of many bodies makes visual recognition impossible.
“We are collecting samples from the remains and relatives, even abroad. Around 1,000 DNA tests will be conducted,” said Shah. He added that body recovery is “almost complete” and the remains will be handed over to families once identification is finalized.
The Indian government deployed the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) within minutes of the crash, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally coordinated with regional officials to ensure a swift response.
“All central and state departments are working together in coordination,” Shah noted.
Government launches investigation, urges caution
The cause of the crash remains unclear. The government has announced the launch of an urgent investigation, while Air India CEO Campbell Wilson called for patience and cautioned against speculation.
“We will only share accurate and timely information,” Wilson said in a video statement. “The investigation will take time, but everything that can be done is being done.”
The crash has stunned the nation and drawn international attention due to the high death toll and the location of the impact, which included civilian casualties on the ground.
The Air India Dreamliner had been en route to London Heathrow when it experienced what local media report as an “unspecified technical failure” shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad.
Authorities continue to secure the crash site and have asked the public to avoid the area while recovery efforts proceed. EFE
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