- By Priyanka Koul
- Sun, 15 Jun 2025 11:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: In the aftermath of the devastating crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, which claimed over 270 lives, the airline has announced that it will insure every passenger flying with it over the next few months. The move, seen as a precautionary and compassionate step, will cover each passenger for an amount ranging between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 50 lakh, according to airline sources quoted by News18.
The insurance decision comes just three days after the London-bound flight AI-171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing nearly everyone on board and several on the ground. Among the 242 people on board was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose identity was confirmed through DNA matching. Only one passenger miraculously survived the crash, while more than 30 people died on the ground due to the aircraft’s impact.
Due to the severely burnt and disfigured condition of many bodies, authorities have had to rely on DNA testing for identification. "A total of 47 plane crash victims have been identified so far through DNA matching. Of these, the bodies of 24 victims have been handed over to their respective families. These deceased were from Rajasthan and different parts of Gujarat," said Additional Civil Superintendent Dr Rajnish Patel during a media briefing.
Air India has said it is working closely with other Tata Group companies to ensure full support for the victims’ families. The airline confirmed that more than 400 relatives have already reached Ahmedabad, where Air India teams are on the ground offering assistance. The airline has also reaffirmed its commitment to full transparency during the investigation into the cause of the crash.
PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visited the crash site on Sunday to review the situation and met with some of the injured at the Civil Hospital. “I am very pained by the enormity of the tragedy. Everybody is sad. It is our duty to share grief and express our feelings for the victims,” Mishra told reporters.
Officials also confirmed that the cockpit voice recorder, commonly known as the second black box, has been recovered. This development is expected to provide crucial insights for investigators piecing together what led to the deadly crash.
The ill-fated flight was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and 12 crew members.