Air India Dreamliner: 294 killed in crash; 10 people from hostel; hotline opened for foreign citizens

NEW DELHI: Human bodies turned piles of ash. The country is reeling from the Ahmedabad plane crash that killed 294 people, including locals and foreigners. The situation is that the relatives can only be identified through DNA testing. Only after this will the official figure be released. 265 deaths have been confirmed.

26 identified bodies, including those of six passengers, have been handed over to their relatives. The process of comparing DNA samples will take about 72 hours to complete. Relatives of 215 people have provided DNA samples. The search for bodies among the debris continues. Nurse Ranjitha's brother Ratheesh has left for Ahmedabad to provide a blood sample to identify her body.

Meanwhile, the details leading up to the crash are still unclear. However, the recovery of the plane's black box and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) is a source of hope. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and assessed the situation firsthand. He met Vishwas Kumar, who miraculously survived, and the others who are undergoing treatment for their injuries. Four medical students and six of their relatives who were in the hostel were confirmed dead. The rest are local residents. Relatives have complained that more local residents are missing. Police said the death toll could rise.

AAIB begins investigation

Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) officials have recovered the black box and CVR from the roof of the BJ Medical College hostel where the plane crashed. These are installed in the tail of the plane and are not damaged in accidents. The information from these is crucial in the investigation. The NIA has also reached the accident site. Since Boeing is an American company, the US National Transportation Safety Board will also be part of the investigation. Since British people also died, the AAIB in the UK will also be present. There will be an investigation by the Boeing company.

Helpline for foreign nationals

Relatives of foreign nationals have been invited for DNA testing. Air India has released a hotline number of +91 8062779200 for them. Information will also be provided on 1800 5691 444. The bodies will be sent home through the British, Portuguese and Canadian embassies in India as soon as they are identified. 61 foreigners, including 53 Britons, were among the victims of the tragedy.