The operation to clear the site of the crash involving a London-bound Air India flight, in which 265 people lost their lives on Thursday, continued overnight and is in the last stages, an official said on Friday. After the plane crashed into the hostel block of a medical college during lunchtime, increasing casualties on the ground. A massive multi-agency rescue operation involving the Army, NDRF, CISF, and local fire services was launched.
A Boeing 787 Dreamliner (AI 171), with 242 people on board, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, crashed into a medical college complex in the Meghaninagar area moments after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon. Air India has confirmed that 241 people on board its London-bound flight were killed when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from the Ahmedabad airport.
One person survived the tragedy, while 241 on board, including 168 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese and one Canadian, were killed.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai said the operation to clear the site continued overnight, and some debris still needed to be removed.
"Bodies were charred beyond recognition," she said.
Also read: 265 bodies recovered so far, PM may visit crash site soon
The senior official had earlier said 265 bodies were sent to the city civil hospital.
The aircraft could be seen from afar, losing altitude rapidly and crashing in a ball of fire that sent plumes of thick black smoke spiralling up in the air. Four MBBS students and a doctor's wife were among those killed at the complex of BJ Medical College outside the airport perimeter, the official had said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had called the incident "saddening" is expected to travel to Ahmedabad today for reviewing the on-ground situation. He had yesterday directed Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu to oversee support operations.
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