The death toll from Thursday’s catastrophic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, western India, has risen to 270, making it the world’s worst aviation disaster in over a decade. Families of victims are growing increasingly frustrated by delays in identifying and releasing the badly charred bodies of their loved ones.

The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, was bound for Britain’s Gatwick Airport when it lost altitude just seconds after take-off. The aircraft erupted in a fireball after crashing into residential buildings near B.J. Medical College, where it also struck a student hostel. Only one person survived the crash.

Dhaval Gameti, president of the Junior Doctors Association at B.J. Medical College told reporters that at least 270 bodies have been recovered from the site.

The horrific event has reignited scrutiny of Air India’s safety standards and technical operations. The airline, now operated by the Tata Group after its 2022 acquisition from the Indian government, is under pressure to explain how the crash occurred. Early investigations are focusing on potential issues with the aircraft’s engine thrust, landing gear, and flap settings.

Tata Group chairman N. Chandrasekaran stated on Friday, “We want to understand what happened, but we don’t know right now.”

Meanwhile, dozens of grieving families have gathered outside Ahmedabad hospitals, desperate for information and overwhelmed by the identification process. Many of the bodies were so badly burned that standard identification methods are impossible.

“We have lost our children,” cried Rafiq Abdul Hafiz Memon, who lost four relatives. “We’re not getting any answers. Please help us get information about our children.”

Authorities are relying on dental records and DNA profiling to identify victims. Forensic dentist Jaishankar Pillai confirmed that dental charts of 135 victims are currently being analysed against medical records to aid identification.

However, the waiting time has only added to families’ anguish. “We were told it would take 72 hours,” said one father, still waiting to claim the body of his son, Harshad Patel. “The authorities are trying to help, but our patience is running out.”

As investigations continue and the death toll climbs, Air India and the Indian government are under growing pressure to provide transparency, accountability, and swift support to the grieving families.

Melissa Enoch

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