Tata Group announces Rs 1 crore ex-gratia for families of Air India crash victims

AHMEDABAD: The Tata Group has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore each for the families of those who lost their lives in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. The company also stated that it would cover the medical expenses of those injured in the incident. Additionally, Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said the group will take the responsibility of rebuilding the damaged medical college hostel where the plane crash-landed.

The latest confirmed reports indicate that only one person survived the crash. The survivor, Ramesh Vishwaskumar (38), claimed he escaped through the emergency exit moments before the aircraft went down. Ramesh, a British citizen of Indian origin, had come to India to visit his relatives. He is currently undergoing treatment for injuries sustained during the incident.

The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had taken off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad at 1:38 PM on Thursday, en route to London. Just five minutes after takeoff, the plane crash-landed into the hostel of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad.

The flight had 242 people onboard, including 230 passengers, 10 cabin crew members, and 2 pilots. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian. The aircraft reportedly crashed and exploded into flames within minutes of takeoff.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has stated in a press release that the probable cause of the crash could be bird strikes in both engines. The aircraft involved in the accident was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one of the most technologically advanced commercial aircraft in operation.