logo
Air India to pay Rs10 million to families of each passenger killed in plane crash

Air India to pay Rs10 million to families of each passenger killed in plane crash

Khaleej Times21 hours ago

[Editor's Note: Follow KT's live blog for all the latest updates on the Ahmedabad plane crash.]
After the deadly crash this afternoon, Air India owners Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs10 million to the families of each passenger who has lost their life.
Tragedy struck the ill-fated flight shortly after takeoff, and the Air India passenger plane bound for London with more than 240 people on board crashed into a medical college.
Tata Group took to social media to post the update about the compensation to families. The post reads, 'We are deeply anguished by the tragic event involving Air India Flight 171. No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured.
'Tata Group will provide Rs10 million to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy. We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support. Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the B J Medical's hostel. We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time,' the post continues.
Meanwhile, Air India has announced relief flights from Delhi and Mumbai to be operational for the victims' next of kin as well as Air India staff. The flight timings of the same have also been announced on Air India's social media handles.
'Next of kin of passengers and staff in Delhi and Mumbai wanting to travel on these flights can call our hotline on 1800 5691 444. Additionally, those coming in from international destinations and wanting to travel can call our hotline on +91 8062779200,' their social media post reads.
A special team of caregivers also arrived to Ahmedabad to provide support to Air India teams on the ground. The Tata Group and the airline are working with local authorities to provide necessary assistance and are extending full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Boeing shares sink, dollar dives on Trump's new trade threat
Boeing shares sink, dollar dives on Trump's new trade threat

Gulf Today

timean hour ago

  • Gulf Today

Boeing shares sink, dollar dives on Trump's new trade threat

Wall Street stocks dipped early Thursday after fresh trade war rhetoric from President Donald Trump, while Boeing shares tumbled following a brutal Air India crash on a 787 jet. Just hours after Trump reached a new detente with China on trade tensions, the president threatened to 'send letters out' with an ultimatum to other trading partners. Meanwhile, Boeing shares shed about five percent after a London-bound 787 Dreamliner crashed in western India, likely killing all 242 people on board. About 25 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.4 percent at 42,705.52. The broad-based S&P 500 slipped 0.1 percent to 6,018.24, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index also declined 0.1 percent to 19,595.85. Data showed that wholesale prices rose 0.1 percent last month, a modest uptick as analysts continue to caution that Trump's tariffs could lift inflation in the coming months. Among other stocks, Oracle surged 12.1 percent following an upbeat earnings report. The software giant scored eight percent revenue growth in the last year but predicted the coming year would be 'even better.' The dollar plunged on Thursday after US President Donald Trump threatened higher unilateral tariffs on trade partners, and oil see-sawed as traders evaluated the probability behind reports that Israel could be gearing up to strike Iran. Stock traded mixed as investors navigated the double whammy of returning trade uncertainty and geopolitical volatility, while Boeing's share price slumped sharply in the wake of a deadly 787 Dreamliner crash in India. In New York, the broad S&P 500 index reversed early losses to trade slightly up, but the blue-chip Dow struggled in the red. All European stock markets finished lower, except London, which posted an uptick despite official data showing the UK economy shrank more than expected in April. The dollar was down against the euro, and at one point fell by more than one percent to its lowest point in three years against the European single currency. 'Trump has done it again. The US president has rattled markets with fresh threats of unilateral tariff rates on several trading partners,' said Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst at 'Investors are now asking questions... and that's before considering other risks that include valuations, bond market troubles, and a potential military conflict between Iran and Israel,' he said. Trump on Wednesday said he would be sending letters within the next two weeks to other countries' governments to announce unilateral US levies on their exports to America. 'This is the deal, you can take it or leave it,' Trump told reporters. The return to trade belligerence eclipsed any optimism that had emerged from a putative agreement between the United States and China on Tuesday to modestly de-escalate trade tensions. It also left the European Union staring down the barrel of 50-percent tariffs -- at least -- when a pause on them ends on July 9, without any sign so far of Brussels and Washington close to reaching a trade agreement. The EU has reportedly drawn up plans to slap 100 billion euros ($116 billion) of additional tariffs on US goods if the US levies go ahead. But 'the indices that seem most exposed to tariffs are China, Mexico, the UK, and those of commodity exporters like South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and especially Canada,' said Capital Economics analyst Giulia Bellicoso. Markets were also following reports that Israel was poised to launch airstrikes on Iran -- along with Trump saying he was now 'less confident' that talks with Tehran would end up with it rolling back its nuclear programme. Oil prices, which had initially jumped on Wednesday on the heightened tensions, flipped direction for much Thursday as investors and analysts weighed reports of imminent Israeli strikes. Towards the end of the trading session they were close to where they ended on Wednesday. 'A solo Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear program without US acknowledgement or support is highly unlikely' and carried a 'considerable' risk of miscalculation, said analysts at Eurasia Group, although they did say the UN nuclear agency's censure 'adds to (the) escalatory environment'. In the end, the 'threat of an Israeli attack gives the US more leverage during talks,' they surmised. The next round of US-Iran talks is scheduled for Sunday. In New York share trading, Boeing dropped more than five percent after a London-bound Air India plane -- a Boeing 787 -- carrying 242 people had crashed in Ahmedabad. The US planemaker declared itself ready to support Air India following the crash, the first involving a 787 Dreamliner. Agencies

AD Ports Group, ASRY to collaborate on strategic maritime, ports projects
AD Ports Group, ASRY to collaborate on strategic maritime, ports projects

Gulf Today

timean hour ago

  • Gulf Today

AD Ports Group, ASRY to collaborate on strategic maritime, ports projects

AD Ports Group signed three Heads of Terms (HoTs) with the Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard Company (ASRY), for the provision of marine services in Bahrain to collaborate on strategic maritime and ports projects. The signing took place in the presence of Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty's Representative for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs, Kingdom of Bahrain, Chairman of Bapco Energies. These new agreements follow the successful establishment of ASRY Marine, a joint venture between Noatum Maritime, part of AD Ports Group's Maritime & Shipping Cluster, and ASRY, focused on providing integrated marine services in Bahrain. The first Head of Terms (HoT) pertains to a Joint Venture (JV) to manage drydock facilities and shipyards. The JV aims to leverage the capabilities and facilities of each party through their established businesses in this sector. This agreement seeks to enhance drydocking and shipbuilding capabilities within the GCC and explore opportunities in other regions. Additionally, both parties signed a second HoT with a third party, JM Baxi, an India-based well-established business specialising in marine services, ports, logistics, and technology. This agreement focuses on creating green ship recycling facilities to promote a circular economy by repurposing parts and minimising waste, thereby reducing carbon emissions. Green recycling in the shipping industry involves the environmentally responsible dismantling and repurposing of ships, contributing to resource conservation and pollution reduction. JM BAXI is actively involved in promoting and implementing sustainable practices in this area and supports the implementation of the Hong Kong Convention (HKC), a global standard for responsible ship recycling. The final HoT signed by AD Ports Group and ASRY relates to exploring joint investment opportunities within ports and terminals. Through the creation of a collaborative framework and a working group the parties will draw on their joint expertise to identify prospective areas of development. Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said, 'Following the successful formation of our recent joint venture with ASRY, we look forward to deepening our collaboration across the maritime realm. We have already developed strong working ties, and this agreement opens the door to create more value and growth across our operations. Exploring opportunities to establish green ship recycling facilities is also very important for us, ensuring that vessels are retired in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.' Dr. Ahmed Al Abri, CEO - ASRY, said, ' We are proud to enhance and expand our strategic partnership with AD Ports Group through these new agreements. By combining our shared expertise and advanced infrastructure, and in line with global shifts in the maritime industry, we aim to strengthen our capabilities in drydocking and shipbuilding across the GCC and beyond.' 'We also look forward to developing green ship recycling capacities and entering a vital new field in port management and operation. These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to a culture of innovation, operational excellence, and driving growth in the maritime sector.' The new areas of cooperation strengthen both parties' maritime capabilities and reach, while the focus on green ship recycling highlights a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, driving innovation and industry growth. Meanwhile last month AD Ports Group signed a Head of Terms Agreement with Advario, a leading global provider of tank storage and infrastructure solutions, to explore establishing a joint venture to develop and operate green energy and liquid bulk storage projects in the UAE and globally. The proposed joint venture, which would be 51 per cent owned by AD Ports Group and 49 per cent by Advario, has the potential to unlock significant growth opportunities in the fields of clean energy alternatives and bulk chemicals storage by leveraging the partners' complementary strengths, expertise, and market access. AD Ports Group would work closely with Advario's UAE partner, Star Energy, to explore the collaboration. If a joint venture is created, Advario would build bulk storage tanks at Khalifa Port and supporting pipeline infrastructure to the Group's clients in KEZAD, the Middle East's largest integrated industrial zone network. By leveraging KEZAD's industrial base and fully integrated infrastructure, a collaboration will not only enhance AD Ports Group's existing liquid bulk capabilities, but create a launchpad for future investments in clean energy infrastructure, including hydrogen carriers such as ammonia, methanol, and other emerging fuels. WAM

India plane crash: Is seat 11A the safest on an aircraft?
India plane crash: Is seat 11A the safest on an aircraft?

Khaleej Times

timean hour ago

  • Khaleej Times

India plane crash: Is seat 11A the safest on an aircraft?

[Editor's Note: Follow KT's live blog for all the latest updates on the Ahmedabad plane crash.] The survival of a passenger who escaped through an exit door seconds after his Air India flight crashed killing everyone else on board has prompted speculation over whether his seat, 11A, is the safest. Aviation experts say it is not so straightforward because aircraft vary widely in seat configurations, crashes are unique and survival often hinges on a complex interplay of factors. "Each accident is different, and it is impossible to predict survivability based on seat location," said Mitchell Fox, a director at Flight Safety Foundation, a US-based nonprofit. Ramesh Viswashkumar said his 11A seat was near an emergency exit on the London-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday and he managed to walk out. Sitting next to an exit door might help you survive an accident but it won't always be 11A because aircraft can have dozens of different configurations. "In this particular instance, because the passenger was sitting adjacent to the emergency exit, this was obviously the safest seat on the day," said Ron Bartsch, Chairman at Sydney-based AvLaw Aviation Consulting. "But it's not always 11A, it's just 11A on this configuration of the Boeing 787." A 2007 Popular Mechanics study of crashes since 1971 found that passengers towards the back of the plane had better survival odds. Some experts suggest the wing section offers more stability. Sitting next to an exit door, like Viswashkumar, gives you an opportunity to be one of the first out of the plane, although some exits don't function after a crash. The opposite side of the plane was blocked by the wall of a building it crashed into, he said. In January of last year, a panel missing several bolts blew off the side of a Boeing 737 MAX mid-flight, creating a gaping hole and damaging the adjacent seat. Fortunately, no one was seated there at the time, and the incident resulted in no fatalities. Sitting by the aisle might offer you a speedier escape but it increases the likelihood of being hit in the head by luggage falling out of the overhead bins — a much more common occurrence than major crashes. Safety briefings Paying attention to the safety briefing at the start of your flight — often dismissed as routine — is likely the best way to improve your chances of survival, experts say. Disciplined compliance with cabin crew evacuation advice, including leaving bags behind, was a key factor in saving the lives of all 379 passengers and crew aboard a Japan Airlines flight in January last year. The Airbus A350 aircraft had collided with a Coast Guard plane at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, killing five of the six crew members on the smaller aircraft. Safety briefings typically cover critical instructions such as how to fasten your seatbelt securely, adopt the correct brace position and plan your evacuation route. A common tip is to count the number of rows between your seat and the nearest exit — vital knowledge if the cabin fills with smoke and visibility is low. Despite disasters such as the Air India crash, plane designs have evolved to increase the likelihood of passengers walking away from a rare plane accident, Fox said. These include floor path lighting, fire detection and extinguishers, less flammable cabin materials and improved access to emergency exits. "There have been remarkable advancements in airplane cabin design that have improved the survivability of accidents on or near the ground," Fox said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store