Ahmedabad plane crash: Air India announces additional ₹25 lakh compensation to families

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: Markets in Rajkot observed a half-day shutdown on Saturday as a mark of respect for former Gujarat Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Vijay Rupani, who died in the Air India Flight AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad on 12 June, reported news agency ANI.

Rupani, a prominent political figure and long-time resident of Rajkot, was among the 265 people killed when the London-bound Boeing 787 aircraft crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College shortly after takeoff.

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi says, “We held a meeting at Forensic Science Laboratory with senior officers. The meeting was attended by Gujarat Forensic Science team who has been working hard from the past two days to match the DNAs of the family members. The central government has sent a group of forensic experts for help”.

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: A team from the National Security Guard (NSG) has been deployed to assist in ongoing relief efforts at the crash site of Air India Flight AI-171 in Meghaninagar, where at least 265 people were killed, officials confirmed on Saturday.

While NSG personnel are aiding central and state authorities at the scene, they are not involved in the investigation, sources clarified.

A multi-agency probe into the crash is currently underway. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Ahmedabad crime branch, and local police are all part of the investigation. Officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) also visited the site on Friday, PTI's report added.

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: Rescue teams on Saturday discovered another body in the tail section of the wreckage from Air India Flight AI-171. The London-bound flight had crashed just 33 seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon.

Officials believe the victim was likely trapped in the rear of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, whose tail section remained lodged in the rooftop of a doctors' hostel near BJ Medical College in the Meghaninagar locality.

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: At least 38 people on the ground lost their lives in the Air India plane crash tragedy, news agency AFP reported citing police sources.

Only one person survived among the 242 passengers and crew aboard the jet when it crashed, with the aircraft’s tail section left protruding from a hostel housing medical staff.

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: The death toll in the Air India Flight Tragedy has climbed to 279, according to a police source cited by AFP. Recovery operations continue at the Ahmedabad aircraft incident site, now counted among the deadliest aviation disasters in recent history.

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Gujarat State Branch has written to the Chairman of Tata Sons, appealing for support for the injured and deceased medical students of BJ Medical College, who were caught in the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad.

In the letter, IMA states, “We humbly request you to consider extending financial assistance & necessary support to the medical students present at the crash site who were injured or lost their lives in this unfortunate event.”

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut rasied sabotage questions on the Air India crash, saying,  “I am not an expert, but there are serious questions about sabotage in the Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad within 30 seconds of take-off,” 

He asked, “Was there any cyber attack on the system of the plane by any enemy country, as they try to target our military installations with their cyber attacks?”

Raut criticised the behavior of ministers at the crash site, calling it “really sad,” and added, “People are afraid of travelling by air now. Maintenance is the key for the aviation sector.”

Raut further questioned the maintenance protocols at Ahmedabad airport, asking, “Who has the maintenance contract for Ahmedabad? Why was Ahmedabad selected for this? Why did the accident happen to the flight from Ahmedabad airport?”

The National Security Guard (NSG) carried out a search operation at the Air India AI-171 crash site on Saturday.

The flight, en route from Ahmedabad to London, had lost altitude shortly after take-off on Thursday (June 12) and crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College doctors in the Meghaninagar area.

Air India Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu is set to chair a crucial high-level meeting on air safety at 10:30 AM today at the Ministry office, reported ANI.

According to the Civil Aviation Minister’s Office, the meeting will be attended by Civil Aviation Secretary, the Director General of DGCA, senior officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and other top ministry representatives.

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: In the aftermath of the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171, the airline has decided to retire the flight number to prevent further emotional distress and bad memories for passengers and staff. The crash, which occurred just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, claimed the lives of all 241 people on board.

Officials familiar with the matter confirmed on Friday that the flight from Ahmedabad to Gatwick (London) will now operate under the number AI 159.

“The flight from Ahmedabad to Gatwick [London] will be re-numbered to AI 159. The return flight too will be changed to AI160,” an official said, requesting anonymity.

“The change will start to reflect soon,” the official added.

Air India has not yet issued an official comment regarding the change. Read full story.

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: Families of Ahmedabad plane crash victims continued to arrive at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad on Saturday to provide DNA samples for identification of their loved ones.

“It usually takes about 3 months to analyse an individual’s DNA and issue the report. We have expedited the entire process and will do it within 72 hours,” said Dr. Saumil P Merchant, professor and head, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Narendra Modi Medical College told HT.

The DNA testing is being carried out at forensic laboratories in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron said she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad on Friday and extended condolences on behalf of the UK following Thursday's tragic plane crash, reported news agency PTI.

She further added that the UK and India are "working together" to establish the facts surrounding the incident.

Asked about her meeting with the PM, she said, "I passed condolence from His Majesty the King and the Queen, from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and from our Foreign Secretary, all of whom are really shocked by what they have seen, and want to offer support."

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: Aviation expert and former Deputy Director of the National Aerospace Laboratories, Saligram J. Murlidhar, discusses possibility of "fuel contamination" behind Ahmedabad plane crash.

He described the Ahmedabad plane crash as “one of the most unfortunate incidents in India's recent history.”

Speaking to ANI, Murlidhar ruled out a bird strike as a likely cause, noting that both engines failing simultaneously would not be consistent with that scenario. Instead, he pointed to fuel issues: “One of the reasons that can cause thrust loss, power loss, which prevented the aircraft from climbing, is fuel contamination,” he said.

He also explained the crucial next steps in the investigation, which include recovering and analysing the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) to understand the aircraft’s final moments. 

The Dreamliner, he added, carried over 35 tons of fuel and suffered what appeared to be a major technical failure that caused it to descend rapidly.

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday expressed profound grief over the death of former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, who was among the 241 passengers killed in the crash of Air India Flight AI-171 — a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

In a heartfelt message posted on X, Shah said, "I worked for a long time in the organisation with former Gujarat chief minister Vijaybhai Rupani ji. Whether it was strengthening the organisation as the state president or keeping Gujarat's development journey moving as the Chief Minister, Vijaybhai fulfilled every responsibility with full responsibility. It is difficult to believe that he is no longer amongst us."

Remembering Rupani’s personal qualities and his contributions to the party, Shah added: "Calm and thoughtful by nature, Rupani ji's loyalty and discipline towards the organisation were amazing."

Rupani’s untimely demise has shocked political leaders across the spectrum, with many highlighting his leadership and unwavering commitment to Gujarat’s development.

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: Among the 241 passengers who lost their lives were Dr. Prateek Joshi, a London-based radiologist; his wife, Dr. Komi Joshi, a pathologist from Rajasthan; and their three young children—9-year-old Miraya and 4-year-old twin boys, Nakul and Pradyut.

A selfie taken by Prateek Joshi onboard the flight, showing the smiling family, has gone viral since the Ahmedabad crash killed at least 260 people.

Prateek’s father, JP Joshi, shared an emotional account of his son’s final journey: "He had come to India to take his family with him. He had been working in London for four years. He often came back to visit his children and wife. He never used to take a direct flight. But he said he would this time, so it would be easier for the children. His wife had resigned from her job in Udaipur so that they could live together," Joshi told news agency ANI.

He continued: "He even told me that Papa, you also get prepared to come live with me in London. I told him that first, you settle down, then I will come. I was also looking into shutting down my clinic so my wife and I could move to London to stay with our son. That picture going viral on social media is from inside the plane. My grandchildren were so happy to be moving to London. My grandsons slept with me the whole night. We had purchased their school bags. They slept all night with their school bags, saying they would now study in London. No one from the airlines has contacted us."

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule voiced strong concerns over India’s transport safety and called for urgent government action.

Speaking to ANI, Sule said, "Civil aviation is a big alarm. It's been a red flag for a long time. I request the Government of India to come out with a white paper."

Highlighting broader issues, she added, "The entire transport, be it roads, airways or civil aviation, there are a lot of concerns about safety." Sule also acknowledged Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s focus on road safety, saying, "I thank Nitin Gadkari because he has been openly asking MPs to focus on safety. Road safety has been his priority. All of us have tried our best to work with him to make sure infrastructure and safety improve."

She expressed frustration over recent incidents, noting, “Unfortunately, our experience in railways and civil aviation has been challenging. The accidents are very alarming. I am going to discuss it in the Parliament. I'm going to meet Ashwini Vaishnaw.”

Reflecting on the human loss, she said, "It's very painful. I appreciate that yesterday Amit Shah and today the Prime Minister went. The whole country, and the world, has reached out. It's been a very difficult 24 hours for India. We are all deeply pained."

She also remembered BJP leader Vijay Rupani, who was among the victims: "Vijay Rupaniji had been a most wonderful colleague to all of us."

Supriya Sule urged more effort on railway safety, especially in Mumbai, saying, "The number of people using railways in Mumbai is huge. The government of India needs to put in a lot of effort and improve safety in the railways pan-India."

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: The human toll of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad continues to grow, with even bystanders among the victims. On Friday, authorities confirmed the death of 15-year-old Akash Patni, the son of a tea-seller, who was not on the flight or inside the hostel building the aircraft crashed into. He was sleeping under a tree near his family’s tea stall close to the BJ Medical College hostel when the London-bound Boeing 787 went down.

“The death toll based on the bodies recovered so far would be between 265 and 270,” said Kanan Desai, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad (Zone 4). Read more.

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: King Charles will lead the nation in observing a minute’s silence during Trooping the Colour on Saturday to honour the 241 victims of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, reported PA media. 

The tribute, requested by the King himself, will take place as the nation marks the annual King’s Birthday Parade.

The crash involved a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to Gatwick Airport, which went down in the Indian city of Ahmedabad on Thursday. 

As a mark of respect, King Charles and senior members of the royal family riding in the ceremony will wear black armbands.

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: Following the boeing 787 flight crash, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has ordered enhanced safety inspections for Air India’s entire Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleet. The step is aimed at preventing any repeat of what has become one of India’s deadliest plane crashes in recent history.

Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: Mehul Shah, President of the Indian Medical Association (Gujarat), confirmed that four medical students and a doctor’s wife were among the victims. The air india plane crashed ahmedabad into a doctor’s hostel, leading to additional casualties on the ground.