Government orders 'high-level' probe as death toll in Gujarat Air India crash climbs to 274

June 14, 2025 by News Desk

The death toll in the Air India AI-171 crash has risen to 274, including passengers, crew members, and people on the ground, as authorities continue search and recovery operations near Ahmedabad’s BJ Medical College, where the aircraft went down shortly after take-off on June 12. One passenger has survived.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to Gatwick (London), crashed into a densely populated area, killing several medical students, doctors, hospital staff, and local residents.

Rescue teams have retrieved over 300 human remains, many charred beyond recognition, which are now undergoing DNA testing for identification.

Officials confirmed the recovery of the black box — including the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) — found atop a student mess building in the medical college campus. Investigators also recovered the Emergency Locator Transmitter.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has begun a formal probe, while the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has visited the site. Authorities have not ruled out foul play, although the primary focus remains on technical or human failure.

In a major development, the Government of India has constituted a high-level multidisciplinary committee to investigate systemic lapses and recommend reforms.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that this panel, headed by the Union Home Secretary, will review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), rescue coordination, regulatory preparedness, and training standards across agencies.

According to the ministry’s official order accessed by JKNS, the panel will include senior officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Gujarat State Home Department, State Disaster Response Authority, Ahmedabad Police, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Indian Air Force, and Intelligence Bureau. Legal and aviation experts may be added as needed.

The committee has been empowered to examine cockpit data, air traffic control logs, aircraft maintenance records, and witness testimonies. It will also study previous aviation disasters in India to draw relevant lessons.

With access to all crash-related records and the authority to inspect the site and interview crew, ATC personnel, and technical staff, the committee will submit its findings within three months.

Its final report is expected to lay the foundation for policy reform, better preparedness, and enhanced accountability across India’s aviation ecosystem.

Ahmedabad police have registered a case of accidental death and confirmed the first emergency call came in at 1:44 p.m. on Thursday.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu called the black box recovery a crucial step in uncovering the cause behind one of India’s deadliest aviation tragedies.