Air India plane crash LIVE updates: Aircraft's black box recovered after 27 hours

Stay tuned for more updates on the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.

Tata Group Head Natarajan Chandrasekaran writes to his colleagues, “What occurred yesterday was inexplicable, and we are in shock and mourning. To lose a single person we know is a tragedy, but for so many deaths to occur at once is incomprehensible. This is one of the darkest days in the Tata Group's history.”

The black box was found on the rooftop. AAIB began work with full force immediately. Over 40 staff from the State Government joined efforts to augment MoCA teams on site. The DFDR has been recovered from the rooftop: Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau

Grief-stricken families of the Air India crash victims arrived in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

The crash of an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London, which claimed the lives of 241 people, has left the nation grieving, and left the Tata Group grappling with the fallout.

Air India crash: Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg to skip Paris Air Show 2025 after 787 Dreamliner mishap. 

"As our industry prepares to start the Paris Air Show, Stephanie (Pope) and I have both canceled plans to attend so we can be with our team, and focus on our customer and the investigation," Ortberg wrote in a message to employees on Thursday evening, according to reports.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar says, "In touch with UK's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affair, David Lammy, Foreign Minister of Portugal, Paulo Rangel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Anita Anand, regarding the Ahmedabad plane crash. Expressed our profound condolences and offered fullest support in this hour of grief."

India’s deadliest air crash involving a single aircraft — with the death toll rising to at least 265, according to PTI — unfolded in just 30 seconds of horrific footage on Thursday. An 11-year-old Air India 787-8 Dreamliner, departing Ahmedabad for London with 242 passengers and crew, stalled after climbing barely 425 feet and crashed into a medical college campus before bursting into flames.

At Kasauti Bhavan of BJ Medical College, DNA sampling has commenced in the aftermath of the Air India Flight AI 171 crash. Scores of relatives are arriving to submit their DNA samples, hoping to help identify the remains of their loved ones.

The police and hospital authorities are displaying commendable sensitivity, providing special care and emotional support to those visiting the Civil Hospital during this deeply distressing time.

Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani expressed deep sorrow over the tragic crash of an Air India flight in Ahmedabad that claimed several lives.

In a heartfelt message, Ambani, along with his wife Nita Ambani and the entire Reliance family, extended sincere condolences to all those affected by the devastating incident.

He said, "Nita and I, along with the entire Reliance family, are deeply pained and anguished by the grave loss of life caused by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. We extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this tragic incident".

He further said, "In this hour of grief, Reliance extends its full and unwavering support to the ongoing relief efforts and stands ready to assist in every possible way. We pray that all those impacted find the strength and solace to cope with their unimaginable loss".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the crash site in Meghaninagar, where he inspected the wreckage and ongoing debris removal efforts being carried out by state and national agencies. He was accompanied by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and senior officials.

Following the site visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Civil Hospital to meet those injured in the Air India crash. He will also chair a high-level review meeting with top state officials to assess the response and relief measures.

Air India has set up Friends & Relatives Assistance Centres at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Gatwick airports to provide support and take care of the needs of the families and loved ones of those on flight AI171. These centres are facilitating the travel of family members to Ahmedabad.

Dedicated passenger hotline number for those calling from within India: 1800 5691 444; and those calling from outside India: +91 8062779200.

Regular updates will continue on Air India’s X handle (https://x.com/airindia) and on http://airindia.com as further information comes to hand.

Ahmedabad plane crash: Experts suspect dual engine failure or bird hit led to fatal Air India crash shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 of 242 people onboard.