Relatives wait for remains after Air India crash
AHMEDABAD (AFP) Indian health officials have begun handing relatives the bodies of their loved ones after one of the world's worst plane crashes in decades, but most families were still waiting Monday for results of DNA testing.While mourners have held funerals for some of the 279 people killed when the Air India jet crashed in the western city of Ahmedabad, others are facing an anguished wait.There was one survivor out of 242 passengers and crew on board the London-bound plane Thursday when it slammed into a residential area of Ahmedabad, killing at least 38 people on the ground as well.As of late Sunday, 80 crash victims had been identified, according to Rajnish Patel, a doctor at Ahmedabad's civil hospital."This is a meticulous and slow process, so it has to be done meticulously only," Patel said.Witnesses reported seeing badly burnt bodies and scattered remains.Workers went on clearing debris from the site on Sunday, while police inspected the area.The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner erupted into a fireball when it went down moments after takeoff, smashing into buildings used by medical staff.Air India said there were 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese and a Canadian on board the flight, as well as 12 crew members.
Black Box Indian authorities have yet to identify the cause of the disaster and have ordered inspections of Air India's Dreamliners.Authorities announced Sunday that the second black box, the cockpit voice recorder, had been recovered, which may offer investigators more clues about what went wrong.
Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, said Saturday he hoped decoding the first black box, the flight data recorder, would "give an in-depth insight" into the circumstances of the crash.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
a day ago
- Middle East Eye
Opinion: After months of deprivation, sugar reminds me why I'm fighting to be here
After more than five months of a near-total closure of Gaza's borders, leading to the deaths of dozens of Palestinians from starvation or malnutrition, Israel has finally allowed a small number of merchants to bring limited goods into Gaza. This week, we awoke to find food items on market shelves that had been absent for five months. The scenes were surreal. People stood before crates of sugar, pressed dates and feta cheese as if seeing them for the first time in their lives. Some reached out cautiously to touch them and inquire about prices, while others simply stared, uncertain whether this was real or some cruel illusion. These were not luxuries. They were the most basic of staples, but after months of crushing starvation and relentless deprivation, they might as well have been treasures. In the first phase of starvation, when vegetables, beans and rice disappeared, many families relied on 'tea fattah' - pieces of bread soaked in tea and eaten as the main meal of the day. fter more than five months of a near-total closure of Gaza's borders, leading to the deaths of dozens of Palestinians from starvation or malnutrition, Israel has finally allowed a small number of merchants to bring limited goods into Gaza. This week, we awoke to find food items on market shelves that had been absent for five months. The scenes were surreal. People stood before crates of sugar, pressed dates and feta cheese as if seeing them for the first time in their lives. Some reached out cautiously to touch them and inquire about prices, while others simply stared, uncertain whether this was real or some cruel illusion. These were not luxuries. They were the most basic of staples, but after months of crushing starvation and relentless deprivation, they might as well have been treasures. In the first phase of starvation, when vegetables, beans and rice disappeared, many families relied on 'tea fattah' - pieces of bread soaked in tea and eaten as the main meal of the day. A vendor serves dates to a customer in Gaza City on 1 March 2025 (Omar al-Qattaa/AFP)
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Khaleej Times
'Always smiling': Sharjah expat family bids tearful farewell to son killed in bike crash
Family, friends, and well-wishers came together to bid an emotional farewell to 27-year-old Jefferson Justin, who tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident in London. More than 50 mourners gathered at the Sharjah Cremation Centre in Juwaiza, sharing heartfelt tributes and fond memories of the 'always smiling' young man. "We wanted a very private service, but several of his friends and schoolmates turned up," his father, Justin, told Khaleej Times. "He was very popular among friends, and they all wanted to honour him in their way. As a family, we are relieved with the closure we have gotten after burying him. For the past several days, the thought of his body lying alone in the mortuary was very difficult for us." Jefferson died in a bike crash in Leeds, UK on July 25 while on the way back home from work. His body was repatriated to the UAE after formalities were completed late Wednesday. "We are very grateful to the UAE Embassy in the UK for their support," said his father. "One official stayed in constant touch, updating us on every development. It was a huge relief during a very trying time." Emotional service During the service, several people spoke about Jefferson and shared their memories. "His school principal spoke as did a teacher who has been a close family friend of ours for many years," said Justin. "One friend shared memories on behalf of his group of friends. Even a social worker who knew Jefferson paid tribute." Justin learned new things about his son during the ceremony. 'A friend recounted how, after getting into mischief at school, Jefferson would walk up to the teacher with a goofy smile,' he said. 'The teacher couldn't help but laugh instead of scolding him. We had never heard that story before. It was heartwarming to know his friends hold such fond memories of him.' Jack of all trades Jefferson, the middle of three brothers, grew up in Sharjah and was known for his vibrant personality and wide range of talents. His brother Justin described him as a 'jack of all trades' and a hardworking individual. "From childhood, he was into dancing and singing,' he recalled. 'As he grew older, he began to write lyrics and perform them as a rapper. He loved photography as well. When he went to London, he would go on leisurely bike rides across the countryside and send us photos and videos.' Justin added that he never shied away from any kind of work. 'Even when he was studying, he held a part-time job,' he said. 'He would do any kind of job and worked hard at every role he took. At one point, he even used to help with loading and unloading at a club. He never asked us for money and was very resourceful and self-sufficient. You would never see him without a smile and a kind word for those around him.'
Arabian Post
3 days ago
- Arabian Post
Titan sub tragedy: Dubai businessman's death deemed avoidable
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The tragic death of a Dubai-based businessman aboard the Titan submersible could have been prevented, according to a detailed report. The incident, which occurred during a voyage to the wreck of the Titanic, saw all five passengers on board perish when the submersible suffered a catastrophic implosion in the North Atlantic. Among the victims was Shahzada Dawood, a well-known Pakistani-British businessman with deep ties to the Middle East. The new findings from investigations suggest critical lapses in the safety measures that led to the fateful disaster. The Titan submersible, operated by the OceanGate company, was designed for deep-sea exploration and had made several successful expeditions before its ill-fated journey. On June 18, 2023, the vessel, with five people onboard, embarked on a mission to survey the wreck of the Titanic, located approximately 3,800 metres beneath the surface. However, less than two hours into the descent, the submersible lost communication, prompting immediate search and rescue operations. Tragically, the submersible was confirmed to have imploded, likely due to the immense pressure at that depth. No survivors were found. ADVERTISEMENT In the aftermath of the incident, a comprehensive investigation was launched by the US Coast Guard, with the support of OceanGate and other stakeholders. The report issued highlights several disturbing safety concerns that may have contributed to the loss of life. One of the key findings revealed that the design of the submersible was flawed, especially in terms of its pressure resistance. Titan's hull, made of carbon fibre and titanium, was found to be particularly vulnerable to the crushing pressures encountered at the extreme depths of the ocean. The report also raises alarms over the lack of sufficient safety protocols. Despite previous warnings from experts and engineers about the potential risks of operating the submersible at such depths, OceanGate proceeded without addressing these concerns adequately. Furthermore, it was discovered that the company had a limited track record of using its submersible for commercial passenger voyages to the Titanic wreck, with only a few successful trips before the disaster. This limited experience, paired with a lack of comprehensive safety testing, created a dangerous combination. Family members of those who perished in the incident have demanded accountability from OceanGate. Dawood's family, in particular, expressed deep anguish, questioning whether the submersible was subjected to the rigorous safety checks expected of high-risk deep-sea vehicles. They have since called for more stringent regulations surrounding private submersible expeditions, pointing to the inadequacies in the oversight of such ventures. OceanGate, in its defence, has acknowledged the tragic outcome of the mission, yet maintained that its technology was sound. However, the company's CEO, Stockton Rush, who also perished in the implosion, had been previously warned about the unorthodox approach to safety that the firm followed. Rush reportedly ignored concerns from industry professionals and regulators, focusing instead on meeting the growing demand for expeditions to the Titanic wreck. This pursuit of speed and innovation, while admirable, ultimately cost lives. The findings have sparked wider conversations about the regulation of private deep-sea expeditions. While the ocean exploration industry continues to grow, the Titan tragedy has underscored the need for a more robust framework to ensure the safety of passengers and crew alike. Calls for stricter regulatory oversight, including the requirement of more frequent and detailed safety checks, have gained momentum. There is growing consensus among marine engineers and experts that submersibles should undergo rigorous independent inspections before embarking on any mission.
