New Delhi, India — In the wake of a tragic Air India crash that killed at least 270 people, Indian aviation authorities have launched an urgent inspection of all Boeing 787 Dreamliners in the country.
This development was confirmed by India’s Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, during a press briefing on Saturday in New Delhi. He announced that extended surveillance was already underway on the country’s 34 Dreamliners, with eight aircraft inspected and the rest to follow swiftly.
“We have also given the order to do the extended surveillance of the 787 planes,” Naidu said. “With immediate urgency, all of them are going to be done.”
While the aircraft have not yet been grounded, officials indicated that such action remains under serious consideration depending on inspection outcomes. According to Flightradar24, Air India operates 33 Dreamliners, and budget carrier IndiGo owns one.
Naidu stated that all possible causes of the crash were being examined, including engine thrust anomalies, issues with aircraft flaps, and reports that the landing gear was extended during takeoff.
The doomed flight, headed for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after departing Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. It plummeted into nearby residential buildings—including a hostel at B.J. Medical College—igniting a deadly inferno and killing passengers and people on the ground.
The incident has left families in grief and confusion as they wait for news and identification of loved ones. Many bodies were severely burnt, making identification difficult. Authorities are now relying on dental records and DNA testing to confirm identities, a process that may take days.
“We have the dental records of 135 charred victims,” said forensic dentist Dr. Jaishankar Pillai. “These will be matched to prior charts and x-rays for confirmation.”
At B.J. Medical College, where many victims had connections, the emotional toll is heavy. A doctor at the hospital shared, “Most of us are mentally disturbed. The loss of friends and colleagues is overwhelming.”
Government officials have promised transparency in the investigation and swifter support for affected families.
By Makinde oyinkansola| June 14, 2025
