‘Most unfortunate, tragic incident’: Congress’ Veerappa Moily on AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad

BENGALURU:Congress leader M Veerappa Moily on Saturday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the AI-171 plane crash and said it was an ‘unfortunate’ and ‘tragic’ incident that shook the faith of the people.

“It is the most unfortunate and tragic incident. It has shaken the faith and confidence of the people. We will learn further information after the evidence, such as the black boxes, is probed. An inquiry will be conducted, and proper action will be taken,” Moily said

Earlier in the day, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi visited the Directorate of Forensic Sciences of the Home Department to review the DNA testing process in the AI-171 plane case.

The Home Secretary, Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Director of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) also joined him at the Directorate. Gujarat Police officials also reached the Directorate of Forensic Sciences.

The collection of DNA samples from the family members of the victims of the tragic plane crash continued on Saturday to help identify the bodies. Many came to the BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad to provide their samples.

The massive identification effort has already collected samples from over 250 people. The victims’ identification relies entirely on DNA results, as the bodies were charred beyond recognition.

The AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aircraft, bound for London’s Gatwick, crashed shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. The airline said 241 people on board the aircraft died in the crash, while only one passenger survived.

Indian Medical Association’s Gujarat President Mehul Shah said that four medical students and a doctor’s wife died after the flight AI-171 crashed into the BJ Medical College.

A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. (ANI)