Air India has announced financial compensation for the families of those who lost their lives in the crash of Flight 171 — the deadliest air disaster India has faced in more than ten years. The country is still reeling from the tragedy as multiple agencies launch an official investigation.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, headed for London, crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, June 12. Out of the 242 people onboard — 230 passengers and 12 crew members — only one person survived. The plane went down in a residential area of Meghani Nagar, destroying a medical student hostel and triggering a massive fire.
At present, the death toll has risen to at least 274, including 29 people who were on the ground. Among the victims were medical students, local workers, and a pregnant woman.
Compensation Announced: Families to Receive Over ₹1.25 Crore for Each Victim
In an online video statement, Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson announced that the family of each passenger who lost their life will receive more than ₹1.25 crore (around £106,000 or $133,000) in compensation. This amount comes on top of the ₹1 crore already promised by parent company Tata Sons, according to the New Indian Express.
“This isn’t a mere gesture,” Wilson stated, “but a firm promise to support the families through this time of unimaginable loss.”
Ongoing Search and Efforts to Reunite Victims’ Families
Efforts are now focused on reuniting families with loved ones and their belongings. Wilson noted that the reunification and repatriation process has begun, with Air India deploying more than 100 caregivers and 40 engineers to Ahmedabad. Support centres have also been opened in London, Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad.
“This is a deeply emotional time,” Wilson stated. “We respectfully ask that families be allowed their space and privacy.”
Black Boxes Recovered, Global Investigation Begins
Investigators have recovered both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder — commonly called the “black boxes” — which are now being examined. India’s civil aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, said these recordings “will provide crucial details about the final moments before the crash.”
A group of UK aviation specialists has also joined the inquiry, which is expected to take several months. Officials have yet to rule out mechanical issues or other possible causes.
Grief and Anguish at Ahmedabad Hospital
At Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, families are facing an agonising wait as the remains of victims are identified. Because many of the bodies were badly burned, identification now depends on DNA testing.
“We gave our DNA samples, but no one can tell us when we’ll get them back,” said Anil Patel, who lost both his son and daughter-in-law in the tragedy. “Even outside the postmortem room, the smell of the bodies is overwhelming. It’s unbearable.”
Patel’s wife passed away six years ago. “They were all I had left,” he added. “I just want to bring them home.”
“Our Hearts Are Broken”
Ending his message, Wilson expressed the airline’s grief: “Everyone at Air India is heartbroken by this tragedy. We grieve alongside the families and are dedicated to doing everything possible to honour the memory of those we have lost.”
