ADVERTISEMENTThe search for bodies at the site of one of India’s worst aviation disasters entered its third day on Saturday, with the death toll climbing as high as 270 and authorities continuing their search for more bodies.
The Air India, London-bound Boeing 787 crashed into a medical college hostel in a residential area of India’s Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, killing 241 on board and at least 29 on the ground.
Only one passenger survived, who is currently still under observation for some of his wounds. “He is doing very well and will be ready to be discharged anytime soon,” said Dr. Dhaval Gameti at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad.
Some relatives of the crash victims expressed frustration on Saturday that the process of identifying and handing over the remains of the dead was taking too long. Authorities say it normally takes up to 72 hours to complete DNA matching with samples provided by relatives, and they are expediting the process.
Crash investigation well underway
Meanwhile, the Indian government has formed a high-level, multi-disciplinary committee to look into the causes leading to the crash to go alongside a separate, formal investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
The committee will focus on formulating procedures to prevent and handle aircraft emergencies in the future and “will not be a substitute to other enquiries being conducted by relevant organisations,» the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a statement.
Authorities are also inspecting Air India’s entire fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, the country’s Miniser of Civil Aviation said in his first news briefing since Thursday’s crash.
