India’s civil aviation minister has confirmed that the black box from the tragic Air India crash near Ahmedabad has been recovered, offering a crucial piece of evidence in understanding why the London-bound flight went down shortly after take-off on Thursday.
The flight, carrying 242 people, crashed into a densely populated residential area, killing all but one on board. Officials say at least eight people on the ground also lost their lives, though the final number could rise as rescue efforts continue.
The sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national seated in 11A, is currently recovering in hospital. “I still cannot believe how I made it out alive,” he said with his voice reportedly shaky with disbelief.
Air India released the passenger breakdown, 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian were on board.
Doctors say the severity of the crash and resulting fires have made victim identification extremely difficult.
Authorities are now relying on DNA matching to confirm identities, as relatives wait anxiously for news. For many, the agonising wait is unfolding in hospital corridors and makeshift crisis centers.
The recovery of the black box is expected to be a turning point in the investigation. It contains cockpit voice recordings and flight data that could explain what caused the aircraft to plunge into the neighborhood moments after takeoff.
As emergency teams continue to sift through the debris and forensic experts work to piece together victims identities, the crash stands as one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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