The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Friday said the black box of Air India's crashed Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft has been recovered from the rooftop of the residential quarters of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad, PTI reported. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane from Ahmedabad to Londono Gatwick crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College soon after taking off. However, the Ministry of Civil Aviation clarified that, contrary to circulating reports, a video recorder recovered at the crash site was not the DFDR, reported ANI. "Contrary to some reports, the video recorder being circulated is not the DFDR (Digital Flight Data Recorder). The black box was found on the rooftop. AAIB began work with full force immediately. Over 40 staff from the State Government joined efforts to augment MoCA teams on site. The DFDR has been recovered from the rooftop," said the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s statement. The investigation into the traffic crash is underway, and the recovered DFDR is expected to provide vital insights into the events leading up to the disaster. The AAIB has launched a full-scale investigation into the Ahmedabad Plane Crash, with more than 40 staff from the Gujarat State Government joining efforts to support the Ministry of Civil Aviation teams on the ground. The black box, a critical piece of evidence, will be analysed to determine the cause of the tragic Ahmedabad Plane Crash that claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. There is only one passenger who survived the mishap. On Thursday, the AI171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8, bound for London’s Gatwick, crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad International Airport. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain (LTC) with 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours, were flying the plane. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1.39 pm from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to further calls. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft crashed into a medical hostel outside the airport perimeter, and heavy black smoke began emanating from the accident site. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national on board the crashed plane, airline authorities said. The only passenger who miraculously survived the Ahmedabad Plane Crash has been identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh. Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, was seated in row 11, at the left window seat in the flight’s economy class section, right behind an emergency exit. (With ANI and PTI inputs)
13 June,2025 08:41 PM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondentStories like these will surely make you believe that everything happens for a reason. Bhoomi Chauhan, a woman from Gujarat’s Bharuch, who moved to London two years ago on a study visa, narrowly escaped the Ahmedabad plane crash tragedy, which will go down as one of the world’s worst air disasters. Chauhan is currently in India and has been thanking God and her stars since she learnt about the Ahmedabad plane crash tragedy. Chauhan was supposed to board the same Air India flight to Gatwick London, which crashed on Thursday. But what saved her life was her delay in getting to the airport on time. #WATCH | Bhoomi Chauhan, a resident of Gujarat's Bharuch, missed yesterday's flight, AI-171, which crashed and 241 of 242 on board, including crew members, lost their lives.Bhoomi Chauhan says, "...We arrived at the check-in gate 10 minutes late, but they didn't allow me, and I… pic.twitter.com/T1AqU9SSz0 — ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2025 The Gujarat woman said she missed boarding the AI 171 flight to London because she encountered traffic on the way. The 10-minute delay caused Chauhan to miss her flight as she was not allowed to board the plane. According to PTI, she came to her hometown, Ahmedabad, for the first time after moving to the UK two years ago. While speaking to the media, Chauhan said, "I am shivering after I learnt about the crash. I left the airport at 1.30pm, as I missed the flight due to traffic. I thank God." She was in India for vacation after moving to the UK on a study visa and was scheduled to go back to London on the flight. The AI 171 flight took off at 1.39 pm and crashed into a medical college complex near the Ahmedabad airport and burst into a ball of fire less than a minute after takeoff, leaving just one survivor. "The flight was on time, and I missed it by 10 minutes, and I thank God. My prayers for all those who were on board," she said. Chauhan, who was travelling alone, said by the time she reached the airport, the boarding and check-in for the ill-fated flight had closed. "I requested [to airport authorities] that I be let in. I was the last passenger. But my request was not accepted. This is a miracle. Mataji and Ganpati Bappa protected me. I am terrified at the loss of lives. "I am totally numb," she added. Chauhan discovered the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash when she was on her way back home after missing the flight, which took 265 lives (passengers and those on ground). According to Air India, the flight's 230 passengers included 169 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. The remaining 12 passengers on board were two pilots and 10 crew members. (With PTI Inputs)
13 June,2025 05:02 PM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondentThe closure of airspace in Iran amid its ongoing tensions with Israel has forced Air India to divert its flights on another route. On Friday, Air India announced that several of its international flights have either been diverted or sent back to their origin due to the emerging situation in Iran and the closure of its airspace. #TravelAdvisoryDue to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers, the following Air India flights are either being diverted or returning to their origin:AI130 – London Heathrow-Mumbai – Diverted to Vienna… — Air India (@airindia) June 13, 2025 In a post on social media platform X, Air India stated, "Due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers, the following Air India flights are either being diverted or returning to their origin." AI130 from London Heathrow to Mumbai has been diverted to Vienna. AI102 from New York to Delhi diverted to Sharjah. AI116 from New York to Mumbai diverted to Jeddah. AI2018 from London Heathrow to Delhi was diverted to Mumbai AI129 from Mumbai to London Heathrow, returning to Mumbai AI119 from Mumbai to New York, returning to Mumbai AI103 from Delhi to Washington, returning to Delhi AI106 from Newark to Delhi diverting to Vienna AI188 from Vancouver to Delhi diverting to Jeddah AI101 from Delhi to New York, diverting to Frankfurt/Milan AI126 from Chicago to Delhi diverting to Jeddah AI132 from London Heathrow to Bengaluru diverted to Sharjah. AI2016 from London Heathrow to Delhi was diverted to Vienna. AI104 from Washington to Delhi diverted to Vienna. AI190 from Toronto to Delhi diverted to Frankfurt. AI189 from Delhi to Toronto, returning to Delhi. In a post on its X handle, Air India expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to its passengers and assured that every effort was being made to minimise the disruption. The airline further went on to say, "We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption and are making every effort to minimise it, including providing accommodation for passengers. Refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling are also being offered to guests who opt for it. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly passengers to their destinations." Air India has also appealed to passengers to verify and cross-check their flight status before departing, as tensions between the two countries rose rapidly following Israel's preemptive strike on Iran. According to The Times of Israel, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the strike and declared a nationwide emergency in light of the unfolding developments. In a statement, Katz said, "A missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," and said he signed "a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel." The Israeli Defence Minister has also urged citizens to "obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas," The Times of Israel reported. As sirens wailed across Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet while the IDF confirmed launching an aerial campaign against Iran's nuclear programme. In an operation known as "Nation of Lions", the Israeli Air Force hit dozens of targets in Iran related to the nuclear programme and other military facilities. (With ANI Inputs)
13 June,2025 04:52 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Karnataka High Court observed on Friday that actor Kamal Haasan has not yet issued an apology for his controversial remarks concerning the Kannada language. Consequently, the court has directed the producer of his latest film, 'Thug Life', to respond to an application filed by the Kannada Sahitya Parishat. The Parishat's application seeks to intervene in the producer's pleas against the ban on the film's release within Karnataka. The Parishat intends to present before the Court the constitutional, cultural, and linguistic concerns stemming from Haasan's statements, particularly from the perspective of safeguarding the identity, dignity, and historical legacy of the Kannada language and culture, as reported by news agency PTI. This legal case originates from a statement made by Haasan during the audio release of 'Thug Life', wherein he asserted that Kannada was born out of the Tamil language. His remark ignited a considerable controversy, prompting Karnataka leaders and the state's Film Chamber to demand that the actor retract his statement and issue an apology. However, Haasan refused to apologise and opted against releasing the movie in Karnataka on June 5, the date of its worldwide release, as reported by ANI. It is pertinent to note that on Friday, the counsel representing the production house, Raaj Kamal Films International, submitted to the court that the actor would require a week's time to file his objections to the Kannada Sahitya Parishat's application for impleadment. Justice M Nagaprasanna, who presided over the case, has subsequently posted the matter for hearing on June 20. Earlier, Raaj Kamal Films International had filed a petition seeking adequate security for the film's release in the state. According to ANI, when the matter was heard before Justice Nagaprasanna on June 3, the petitioner's counsel maintained that there was no malicious intent behind the statement and that an apology was not warranted. They further submitted that the screening of the movie would not be insisted upon in the state until the issue could be resolved through constructive dialogue. During the hearing, Haasan received strong criticism from the court for his contentious remark, with the court observing that a "single apology could have resolved the situation." (With inputs from PTI)
13 June,2025 04:45 PM IST | Bengaluru | mid-day online correspondentWelcome to Mid-Day's Top News at this hour! We bring you a curated selection of the most significant and compelling news from around the globe. Stay informed with the latest developments in the nation, Mumbai, entertainment, sports, and more. Let's dive into the headlines shaping our world today. Stock markets tumble in early trade on weak Asian peers; sharp surge in Brent crude oil prices Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty tumbled in early trade on Friday in tandem with weak Asian markets amid a sharp spike in Brent crude oil prices after Israel attacked Iran's capital. The 30-share BSE Sensex tanked 1,337.39 points or 1.63 per cent to 80,354.59 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty dropped 415.2 points or 1.66 per cent to 24,473. Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Air India jet falls from sky, slams into med hostel Debris of Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (AI171), which crashed after take-off from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, were seen scattered around the hostel and residential quarters of doctors at the BJ Medical college premises. Read more. Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Only seat 11A made it out alive! Seat 11A turned out to be a miracle spot for Ramesh Vishwashkumar — the lone survivor among the 242 passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171. But as of late Thursday night, the fate of dozens of undergraduate students from B J Medical College remained uncertain. “Every year, 250 students are admitted to the hostel. If you count four batches, the three blocks — A, B, and C — can house nearly 1000 students,” Mukesh Shukla, former B J Medical College faculty member, told mid-day. Read more. Australia is a far better side: Former South Africa captain Ali Bacher As South Africa’s batters struggled to deal with the pace of Australia on Day 2 of the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, former Proteas skipper Dr Ali Bacher had no hesitation in admitting that the men from Down Under are the better side. Read more. Allu Arjun's film with Sandeep Reddy Vanga shelved due to scheduling conflicts? Since 2023, rumours suggested that Allu Arjun and Sandeep Reddy Vanga were teaming up for a project, to be produced by the filmmaker and T-Series. But in the past few weeks, things have gone quiet on that front. Following the announcement of Deepika Padukone joining Arjun’s next, directed by Atlee, sources say that the superstar’s project with Vanga has been shelved. Read more.
13 June,2025 04:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe elder brother of Raja Raghuvanshi, an Indore-based transport businessman murdered during his honeymoon in Meghalaya, on Friday demanded a narco analysis test on prime accused Sonam and Raj Kushwaha to uncover the "entire truth" behind the sensational case. Five people, including Raja Raghuvanshi's wife Sonam (25) and her alleged lover Kushwaha (20), have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi (29) in the north-eastern state last month. All of them are currently in the Meghalaya police's custody and an SIT is probing the case. However, Sonam is accused of getting her husband killed during their honeymoon with the help of Kushwaha and three contract killers, a case which has sent shockwaves across the country. "We want the Meghalaya police to conduct a narco test (also called truth serum test) on Sonam and Kushwaha so that the full truth behind my brother's murder comes out," Raja's elder brother Sachin Raghuvanshi told PTI in Indore. Sachin Raghuvanshi said reports coming in about the duo's interrogation suggest they may be misleading investigators by blaming each other as the mastermind of the brutal killing. "It appears Sonam and Kushwaha are colluding to misdirect the probe," he claimed. The duo could not have executed the murder conspiracy on their own, Sachin Raghuvanshi insisted. "I believe more people are involved in the conspiracy, but they are still out of police reach. Their names may surface through narco analysis," he contended. During a narco analysis test, a drug, sodium pentothal, is injected into the body of the subject which takes him to a hypnotic state, and his imagination is neutralised, leading him to give true information about an incident.Calling for a thorough probe into the entire episode, he expressed suspicion that Sonam's family, particularly her mother, was aware of her alleged relationship with Kushwaha before marriage, but her wedding with Raja Raghuvanshi, which took place on May 11, went ahead under family pressure. Meanwhile, Sachin Raghuvanshi demanded that the case be tried in a fast-track court and that the culprits be handed "double life imprisonment". "The conspiracy to eliminate Raja Raghuvanshi was hatched in Indore, shortly before his wedding with Sonam on May 11, and the mastermind is Raj Kushwaha while the woman had agreed to the plot," East Khasi Hills district Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said earlier. A few days after the wedding, Raja and Sonam left for picturesque Sohra (also called Cherrapunjee) in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district and went missing on May 23. His body was found in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls on June 2, while a search continued for Sonam. She emerged in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur, around 1,200 km away from the crime spot, in the early hours of June 9 and surrendered before police. Besides Sonam and Kushwaha, police have arrested three suspected contract killers -- Vishal Singh Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi. "The three young people were friends, and one of them is a cousin of Raj. It was not a typical contract killing. Yes, the plan was to kill and they did it as a favour to their friend Raj," Syiem said. Kushwaha had given them Rs 50,000 to cover travel and other expenses, he said. As the planning started in February in Indore, they had thought of ways about how Sonam would disappear after the killing of Raja, said the police officer. (With inputs from ANI)
13 June,2025 03:24 PM IST | Indore | mid-day online correspondentKarnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre on Friday expressed condolences to the families of the deceased of the AI 171 plane crash. "It is a painful incident. I express my condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray to God that the people who passed away may their souls rest in peace, and their families get the strength to bear their sad demise," Khandre said, speaking to the media, as reported news agency ANI. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also expressed deep sorrow over the plane crash. He further stated that the several people from Rajasthan were among the victims. Speaking to reporters, Birla said, "The whole country is saddened and stands by the families of the deceased. Several people from Rajasthan have also died in this accident. We stand by their families." The AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aeroplane, bound for London's Gatwick, had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. Air India stated that only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash, claiming the lives of 241 people, including 12 crew members, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday, reported ANI. According to ANI, the aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is tasked with probing aircraft accidents in India. Following the Air India Plane crash in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, the Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met with Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the crash, as reported by ANI. The Prime Minister also met with others admitted to the same hospital with injuries sustained, as the plane crash caused injuries to people near the site of the incident. (With inputs from ANI)
13 June,2025 03:20 PM IST | Kalaburagi | mid-day online correspondentA day after Ahmedabad plane crash, Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad has recovered a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) from the debris of the Air India plane that crashed on Thursday afternoon, killing all passengers and crew members except one, reported news agency ANI. "It's a DVR, which we have recovered from the debris. The FSL team will come here soon," an ATS personnel member told reporters. A DVR in an aircraft is a specialised system designed to capture, store, and manage video footage from cameras installed onboard. These systems are crucial for security, training, operational reviews, and compliance with aviation safety standards. While DVRs focus on video, traditional Flight Data Recorders (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR) capture instrument metrics and audio, respectively, for crash investigations. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting with the officials at the airport in Ahmedabad in the wake of the Air India plane crash incident. The visuals show PM Narendra Modi chairing the meeting while the officials brief him about the accident. PM Modi, earlier on Friday, visited the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad and reviewed the ground situation, a day after the AI-171 flight bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad International Airport. Sharing an X post, the Prime Minister wrote, "Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams are working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy." Meanwhile, a process of DNA sampling for the identification of deceased passengers of the Air India 171 flight is underway at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information about the entire incident. Shah said that there was no chance of saving anyone in the London-bound Air India plane crash because of the high temperature caused by the burning of almost 125,000 litres of fuel in the aircraft. Expressing condolences to family members of those killed, Shah said the exact number of deaths will be officially released only after DNA tests. Shah revealed that approximately 1000 DNA tests have been conducted so far. (With inputs from ANI)
13 June,2025 03:07 PM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that the Ahmedabad plane crash tragedy has left everyone devastated, saying the loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. PM Modi posted his message of grief and condolence on X as he visited the crash site and met the injured being treated. We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families. We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come.… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025 He said, "We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families." He added, "We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come. Om Shanti." Air India said 241 of the 242 persons on board had died in the Ahmedabad plane crash, which also killed residents of a medical college as it crashed into the building. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the site of the Air India plane crash, in which 265 people lost their lives, and met the injured victims at the civil hospital in Ahmedabad. PM Modi arrived at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in the morning and drove straight to the plane crash site, officials said. He spent around 20 minutes inspecting the site, where the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (AI171) crashed into a complex of B J Medical College in the Meghaninagar area shortly after taking off on Thursday afternoon. Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi informed the prime minister about how the plane crashed into the college hostel and mess. PM Modi later visited the city civil hospital, where he spoke to Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the tragedy and met the injured victims. He visited the C7 ward of the hospital, where 25 injured people are undergoing treatment, and also interacted with the doctors. The prime minister spent around 10 minutes at the hospital. On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information about the entire incident. Shah said that there was no chance of saving anyone in the London-bound Air India plane crash because of the high temperature caused by the burning of almost 125,000 litres of fuel in the aircraft.
13 June,2025 03:00 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe southwest monsoon, which regained momentum this week, is expected to cover most parts of northwest India, including Delhi, by June 25, well ahead of the usual dates, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The primary rain-bearing system reached Kerala on May 24, marking its earliest onset over the Indian mainland since 2009, when it arrived on May 23. Aided by strong low-pressure systems over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, the monsoon advanced quickly over the next few days, covering parts up to central Maharashtra, including Mumbai, and the entire northeast by May 29. However, it stalled from May 28-29 until June 10-11 before becoming active again. The lack of rainfall since early June led to a sharp rise in temperatures, triggering heatwave conditions across large parts of northwest and central India since June 8-9. According to the IMD's extended range forecast, the monsoon is now likely to cover the remaining parts of central and eastern India and some areas of northwest India by June 18. It is expected to advance over most of northwest India between June 19 and June 25. An IMD official said the system is likely to reach Delhi by June 22-23, ahead of the normal onset date of June 27. Meteorologists say the date of monsoon onset does not directly correlate with the total seasonal rainfall. An early or delayed arrival in Kerala or Mumbai does not necessarily indicate similar progress in other parts of the country. They say the monsoon is influenced by complex global, regional and local factors, marked by significant variability. In May, the IMD forecast that India is likely to receive 106 per cent of the long-period average rainfall of 87 cm during the June-September monsoon season. Rainfall between 96 and 104 per cent of this 50-year average is considered "normal". Above-normal rainfall is expected in most parts of the country, except Ladakh, adjoining areas of Himachal Pradesh, the northeast, and some parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha. Some isolated areas in Punjab, Haryana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu may record below-normal rainfall. The monsoon is crucial for India's agriculture sector, which supports the livelihood of around 42 per cent of the population and contributes 18.2 per cent to the GDP. It also plays a key role in replenishing reservoirs essential for drinking water and power generation. (With inputs from PTI)
13 June,2025 02:47 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentOn Thursday, June 12, the world witnessed one of the worst air disasters in history. A tragic crash involving a London-bound Air India flight claimed the lives of many passengers on board and killed several local residents near the crash site. The aircraft, which had departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, crashed shortly after takeoff, just outside the airport perimeter. The crash resulted in the deaths of not only those on board but also bystanders in the vicinity. Among the victims was 15-year-old Akashbhai Surajbhai Patani. Akashbhai was sleeping on a wooden cot (khatiya) near his mother’s tea stall when the tragedy struck. According to The Hindu, he died instantly when the plane crashed where he lay resting. His mother, Sitabhen Patani, who was serving tea at her pushcart nearby, suffered severe burns and is currently undergoing treatment at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Tragically, just a few metres away from her hospital ward, her son’s body lies in the post-mortem room — a fact she remains unaware of as she continues to fight for her life. Akash’s father, Surajbhai, an auto-rickshaw driver, was on duty when the crash occurred. He learned about the incident half an hour later and rushed to the scene, only to discover that his son had died. Overcome with grief, he said while sitting in his auto outside the hospital, “No government or money can replace him… he was a bright child.” Akash was a Class 9 student at a local private school. On the day of the tragedy, he had gone to deliver lunch to his mother. His brother-in-law, Vishal, who is also an auto-rickshaw driver, told The Hindu, “As she was eating, he lay down on the cot and fell asleep… when the plane crashed, he was burnt alive in the flames.” At the hospital, hundreds of grieving relatives gathered, anxiously waiting for confirmation about when they could claim the bodies of their loved ones. Officials informed them that DNA matching could take at least 72 hours for some victims, leaving families with no choice but to wait. Meanwhile, the bodies of victims who could be identified without DNA testing have begun to be released. Among the deceased was Aryan Rajput, a first-year MBBS student from Gwalior. Aryan was in the mess at his medical college hostel when the plane crashed into the building. Community support and relief efforts Local leaders and volunteers have stepped in to support the grieving families. Amit Shah, MLA for Ellis Bridge, and Dr Hasmukh Patel, MLA for Amraiwadi, have set up help desks outside BJ Medical College to assist families with the DNA sampling process. They said, “To coordinate with hospital staff, we are working in six-hour shifts.” Additionally, numerous RSS Swayamsevaks (volunteers) are contributing to the relief operations by managing traffic, helping collect DNA samples, and distributing food and water to distressed families waiting at the hospital.
13 June,2025 02:22 PM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
