Government forms panel to probe Air India plane crash, strengthen aviation safety

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said that a formal investigation into the Air India flight crash has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Additionally, the government is constituting a high-level committee comprising experts from multiple disciplines to examine the matter in detail. The committee will work to strengthen aviation safety and prevent such incidents in the future, the minister said.

The Air India flight AI-171 crashed into a government hospital hostel shortly after taking off from Ahemdabad's Sardar Vallabbhai Patel International Airport, leaving a field of debris and scenes of devastation. The flight was headed to London's Gatwick Airport and carried 242 passengers and 12 crew



members. So far, at least 265 have been confirmed dead in the crash.

Only one passenger, Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada, miraculously escaped the crash and survived. 38-year-old Ramesh, a British national, was seated in seat 11A -- located right behind an emergency exit -- on the flight.

According to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, efforts to save people from the crash failed as the temperature rose to extreme levels due to the burning of 1.25 lakh litres of fuel on the aircraft.

Amit Shah visited the crash site, along with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

A dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 has been set up by Air India to provide more information. Foreign nationals can reach out on another hotline number - +91 8062779200.