Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: Centre begins first presser with silence for crash victims

AHmedabad skim break up: The Centre is potential to contain its number one press conference on the Air India crash, days after the tragedy claimed over 260 lives. On Friday, officials recovered the aircraft’s black box, which is expected to shed light on the sequence of events that led to the crash of Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane 33 seconds after takeoff on Thursday from city's Sardar vallabhbhai Patel International airport. Teams from the NSG, NDRF, Indian Air Force, Fire and Rescue, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), DGCA, and CISF on Saturday jointly inspected the debris remains scattered across the rooftop of the doctors’ hostel in Meghani Nagar area of the city.Rescue teams recovered one body from the wreckage of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed in Ahmedabad. Officials confirmed the body was likely lodged in the aircraft's tail section.Following the Boeing 787 flight crash, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has ordered enhanced safety inspections for Air India’s entire Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleet. The step is aimed at preventing any repeat of what has become one of India’s deadliest plane crashes in recent history.According to Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has already begun decoding the data of the black box "with full force." The black box, comprising the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), was found on a rooftop near the wreckage.The black box will help investigators determine the reason for the Ahmedabad plane crash, including technical faults or human error. It will reveal detailed information such as engine settings, flight altitude, control inputs, and cockpit conversations.Meanwhile, the Centre has constituted a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to probe the Air India plane incident. The civil aviation ministry, in its order, stated:  “The Committee will examine the causes leading to the crash, study current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and recommend comprehensive guidelines to prevent such disasters in the future.”The probe panel will have access to aircraft maintenance logs, ATC recordings, black box data, and eyewitness testimonies. A final report is expected within three months.Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site of the Ahmedabad airport plane crash before heading to Civil Hospital where the sole survivor, British-Indian national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is undergoing treatment.PM Modi also held a review meeting with senior officials at the airport to assess the situation and coordinate Ahmedabad plane crash emergency resources.Lone survivor recalls his lucky escapeThe 40-year-old, Ramesh, lone survivor of the ahammed flight crash, recounted his miraculous escape in an interview with India's national broadcaster.“It felt like the aircraft got stuck right after takeoff. The lights came on, and then it tried to speed up but couldn't gain height before crashing,” he said.He was seated near an emergency exit, which broke open after impact, allowing him to escape. “I undid my seatbelt, pushed myself out of the aircraft and ran,” he recalled, still in disbelief over surviving the crash that killed his brother and over 200 others.What is a black box?The term black box refers to two devices on aircraft—the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). Together, they store crucial data that help investigators understand what happened during a flight. The black box recovered in the Ahmedabad crash will help determine: Airspeed and altitude, Engine performance, Control inputs and Pilot conversations and alarms.Paul Fromme, an aviation mechanical engineer, noted that the black box could be pivotal in understanding the final moments of the flight.Several reports indicate that the pilot may have issued a May Day call shortly after takeoff.A "May Day" is an internationally recognized distress signal indicating grave and imminent danger, requiring immediate assistance. It is one of the final emergency measures a flight crew can use during a crisis.Air India plane crash: 10 key updatesThe death toll in the Air India plane crash that occurred near Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has climbed to 260, according to Inspector General Vidhi Chaudhary. The crash of Air India flight 171, en route to London Gatwick, has been described as one of India’s deadliest aviation tragedies.The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has launched a formal inquiry into the crash. The AAIB is responsible for probing all aircraft accidents in India and will work to determine the reason for the Ahmedabad plane crash.Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier reviewed the situation in a high-level meeting with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, where he was briefed in detail on the unfolding investigation and rescue efforts.In parallel, the central government has constituted a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to examine the crash. The panel is expected to recommend reforms to strengthen aviation safety and prevent future incidents.The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced a compensation package of ₹1 crore for the families of each deceased passenger. The airline has also set up emergency helpline numbers: 1800 5691 444 for domestic calls and +91 8062779200 for international callers.Flight AI 171 was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025. Onboard were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national, according to the airline.Among those killed was former Gujarat Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Vijay Rupani, who was traveling on the ill-fated flight.Reacting to the tragedy, US President Donald Trump described the incident as “terrible and horrific,” offering condolences and extending support to India.