A black box has been recovered from the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad, India, according to the civil aviation minister. The flight data recorder was located within 28 hours by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Tragically, 241 of the 242 passengers who were aboard the flight heading to London perished when the aircraft went down shortly after takeoff, also claiming at least eight lives on the ground.
The discovery of the black box is seen as a pivotal advancement in the investigation, which will assist authorities in understanding the circumstances of the disaster, stated civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. The inquiry is being led by the AAIB, with support from US and UK teams, and Boeing's leadership has confirmed the company’s cooperation.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which operated the flight laden with 169 Indian citizens, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian, crashed into a residential area less than a minute post-takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft, which was bound for London's Gatwick airport, exhibited severe wreckage spread over a 200-meter radius.
Recovery efforts on Friday revealed large remnants of the plane still embedded in buildings. Investigators continued to sift through the debris, with several families depending on DNA testing to identify the deceased. Six victims have been identified so far, offering little comfort to loved ones who remain hopeful yet devastated.
One of the few survivors, British citizen Vishwashkumar Ramesh, recounts his harrowing escape from the flaming wreckage. He was hospitalized with burns but expresses disbelief at his survival: "I managed to open my eyes… I thought I was going to die."
As the community mourns, relatives of passengers are left with ongoing pain and uncertainty. Some, like Imtiaz Ali, are refusing to accept the loss until they can see their loved ones: "If I get sad and start crying… my heart might burst."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site, an area known as Meghani Nagar, to assess the situation, while Air India's CEO described the experience as profoundly moving. Meanwhile, photos circulating on social media feature the bizarre sight of the tail of the plane wedged into a building, which is becoming emblematic of this tragic event.
In the aftermath, local hospitals report the painful loss of lives, including students and family members present on the campus where the plane struck. As rescue and recovery efforts continue, patience is urged from relatives awaiting news, as authorities work diligently to provide answers without rushing the investigation. The community stands united in grief as they wait for resolutions in the wake of this catastrophic event.
