# Devastating Plane Crash in India Claims Hundreds of Lives

The recent crash of Air India Flight 171 has led to significant loss of life and has initiated a comprehensive investigation into its causes, with hopes pinned on data retrieval from the flight recorder.

Investigators continue to comb through the wreckage of Air India Flight 171, which tragically crashed shortly after departure from Ahmedabad, killing at least 269 individuals, including passengers and personnel on the ground. Authorities have confirmed the retrieval of the flight data recorder, critical for understanding the events leading up to the disaster.

Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, India's civil aviation minister, remarked that the data will be instrumental in the ongoing inquiry. The aviation ministry has established a high-level committee with the aim of implementing measures to avert similar incidents in the future.

The ill-fated flight, destined for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed just moments after takeoff. Among the 242 passengers on board, only one survived, while multiple fatalities were reported on the ground. In response to the crash, India's aviation regulators have mandated immediate maintenance checks for Air India’s Boeing fleet.

The investigation is still in its early stages, and initial findings have raised questions, particularly regarding the aircraft's wing flaps and whether the landing gear was properly deployed during flight.

Families of the victims are left in anguish, waiting at local hospitals for the return of their loved ones' remains. As of Friday, few bodies had been released, with medical authorities conducting DNA tests to confirm identities before funerals can take place.

In a tragic twist, as the aircraft descended, it collided with buildings of a nearby medical college, leading to substantial damage. Ongoing recovery efforts continue as teams work to handle debris and locate the bodies of those lost in the disaster.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site, overseeing recovery operations and expressing condolences to the affected families. While the official death toll is recorded at 269, there are indications that additional casualties among those on the ground may exist, underscoring the disaster's widespread impact.

The article is authored by Pragati K.B., Mujib Mashal, and Suhasini Raj, seasoned reporters providing in-depth coverage of this tragic event and its ramifications for Indian aviation policy and safety.