A high-level air safety meeting is underway today (Saturday), chaired by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, with senior officials from the DGCA, Airports Authority of India, and the Civil Aviation Ministry. The minister is scheduled to brief the media at 1:30 pm IST, marking the first official government response to the tragedy.
To date, least 274 people have been confirmed dead including passengers, crew, and local residents. Only one person survived — a British national of Indian origin. Officials are relying entirely on DNA identification due to severe charring of bodies; over 250 family DNA samples have been collected at BJ Medical College.
A multi-disciplinary committee headed by the Union Home Secretary has been formed to determine the cause and recommend new aviation safety SOPs. The committee will present its findings within three months, alongside separate probes by the DGCA and aircraft manufacturer.
In the meantime, a senior Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilot, Captain Rakesh Rai, offered technical insights, suggesting possible issues with thrust, flaps, or engine control, as the aircraft failed to gain expected altitude before crashing.
The pilot had reportedly issued a ‘May Day’ distress call moments before impact as the aircraft plummeted into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College, sparking a devastating fire.
Among the deceased were four BJMC medical interns. Another 24 students are hospitalized, according to the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA). The Gujarat branch of the Indian Medical Association has appealed to Tata Sons for financial and emotional support for victims and their families.
In the meantime, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson announced that Rs 1 crore compensation will be paid to each victim’s family. The airline has also deployed 100 caregivers and 40 engineering staff to Ahmedabad to assist operations and families.
The tragedy has deeply shaken the Indian-American community in the United States. “This tragedy resonates deeply,” said Jagdip Ahluwalia of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, citing Ahmedabad’s strong ties with the diaspora.
The crash may cause a ripple effect in the aviation insurance industry, with experts forecasting a 2–5% rise in airfares as insurance premiums are likely to spike due to high-value claims and increased risk assessment.
Reports say, investigators are examining several angles, as to why the Dreamliner failed to gain altitude during takeoff; whether mechanical faults, such as with flaps or engines, occurred or human error and procedural failures, pending black box analysis.
