Air India Dreamliner Crash: Death Toll Nears 280, Families Demand Answers
By M Muzamil Shami - June 14, 2025
Air India Crash Death Toll Nears 280 as Families Wait for Answers
AHMEDABAD – The death toll from the catastrophic Air India Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner crash rose to 279 on Saturday, marking the world’s deadliest aviation disaster in a decade. Families are growing increasingly frustrated as severely burned bodies await identification and release amid urgent demand for transparency about the cause.
Crash after Takeoff Sparks Deadly Inferno
Seconds‑long Descent Ends in Fireball
-
The Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, plunged shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, bursting into flames and engulfing a medical college hostel.
Only one survivor emerged from the wreckage.
Death Toll Discrepancies
-
Official figures peg the recovered bodies at 279, though some medical sources report 270 .
The estimated casualty count confirms the crash as the deadliest aviation incident in over ten years.
Families Demand Body Releases & Transparency
Tense Hospital Lines & Emotional Toll
-
Tearful relatives camped outside Ahmedabad hospitals suffer extended waits for body release.
Dental and DNA profiling procedures—still ongoing—are blamed for delays .
Voices of Despair
-
Rafiq Abdul Hafiz Memon, who lost four family members, expressed: “We have lost our children… we are not understanding anything.”
Another father noted that DNA matching could take up to 72 hours, leaving families on edge .
Air India & Tata Group Face Intense Scrutiny
-
Since Tata Group’s 2022 takeover, Air India has invested in fleet reforms and safety improvements.
Tata’s chairman said: “We want to understand what happened, but we don’t know right now” .
Investigations Underway—What Went Wrong?
-
Authorities probe engine thrust, wing flap operations, and why the landing gear remained down during takeoff .
Over 130 dental records have been processed to expedite victim identification .
FAQs:
Q1: How many died in the Air India crash?
A1: Confirmed death toll stands at 279, with 242 on board and one survivor.
Q2: Why are body releases delayed?
A2: Due to charred remains, authorities require ** dental and DNA identification**, which can take days.
Q3: Who’s investigating the crash?
A3: Air India, Tata Group, Indian aviation authorities, and forensic teams investigating mechanical failures and flight conditions.
Q4: What’s next for grieving families?
A4: Continued DNA matches followed by burials or repatriation once identification is complete.
Share your thoughts below: Should airlines speed up body identification?
Subscribe now for updates on the investigation, victim IDs, and aviation safety reforms.
0 Comments