India has launched a formal investigation into the cause of a fatal air crash involving a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that claimed at least 260 lives, including people on the ground.
Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed on Thursday that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had begun a full probe in line with international standards. “Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated… in accordance with protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” he said in a statement.
Rescue and forensic teams continued combing through the wreckage into the early hours of Friday, searching for flight data and cockpit voice recorders, commonly referred to as black boxes, which are key to determining what led to the disaster.
The ill-fated aircraft was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese passengers, and one Canadian. It was also staffed by two pilots and 10 cabin crew members. While police confirmed the death toll had reached 260 — including 19 people on the ground — one passenger is believed to have survived the crash.
In response, the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has formally offered to support Indian authorities, and US investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are also expected to join the efforts on site.
US aircraft manufacturer Boeing said it was in contact with Air India and authorities and was “working to gather more information” about the incident.
Meanwhile, the Indian government has formed a high-level panel of multidisciplinary experts to review the circumstances surrounding the crash and to recommend measures to strengthen aviation safety going forward.