Indian authorities have released shocking recordings of the final radio communications before the Air India flight crashed last Thursday in Gujarat, en route from Ahmedabad to London's Gatwick Airport, killing 241 people. Only one passenger survived.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of India, the pilot made a harrowing distress call seconds before losing control, saying: "Thrust not achieved... We are falling... Mayday... Mayday... Mayday."
"Mayday" is an international distress signal used in air disasters and must be repeated three times to emphasize the seriousness of the situation.
The Disaster: Horrific Collision and Horrific Scenes
Just minutes after takeoff, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into a medical college dormitory in a populated area northwest of Ahmedabad, causing a massive fire and completely destroying the aircraft.
On board were:
230 passengers
12 crew members
including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian.
Identification and Handover of Bodies
Indian authorities have begun handing over the bodies of the victims to their families after DNA tests. An official at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital reported that 32 bodies have been identified so far, with the remains of 14 victims handed over to their families.
High-Level Investigation Committee to Uncover Causes of the Disaster
The Indian government has formed a special investigation committee to uncover the true causes of the horrific crash, amid speculation of technical failure or human error.
This disaster is one of the deadliest air accidents in modern Indian history, sparking profound shock and grievance both locally and internationally.
Follow more details as the investigation develops...