Soldier stages ‘PFI attack’ drama to become famous, lands in police custody after friend reveals truth

Ahmedabad, June 14: The death toll from the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has climbed to 270, officials confirmed on Saturday. Grieving families are expressing growing anguish over delays in the identification and release of remains, many of which were severely charred in the inferno.

A senior hospital official told reporters that at least 270 bodies have been recovered so far from the wreckage.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew members on a flight to London’s Gatwick Airport, plunged shortly after takeoff on Thursday. The aircraft lost altitude rapidly and exploded into a fireball as it struck several buildings below.

In a particularly devastating blow, the aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel, killing dozens of students along with other civilians. Only one person is reported to have survived the crash, making this the deadliest aviation disaster globally in over a decade.

Authorities continue efforts to identify victims and investigate the cause of the crash, while mourning families wait in anguish for news and closure.

Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) moved the Karnataka High Court on Monday seeking to quash criminal case against it in M Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede incident that claimed 11 lives.

DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt Ltd, the event organiser, has also filed a separate petition challenging the FIR against it.

Royal Challengers Sports Limited (RCSL), owner of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), has contended that it has been falsely implicated in the case.

According to the petition, RCSL claimed that it had clearly communicated on social media that only limited passes were available. It also said that even for free passes, pre-registration was mandatory for entry.

It alleged that stadium gates, which were supposed to open at 1.45pm, were actually opened only at 3pm, causing a crowd surge.

According to the event mangement firm, the incident occurred due to failure of crowd management by the police. The High Court is expected to hear the matter on Monday afternoon.

Ahmedabad, June 12: An Air India Ahmedabad-London flight crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The passenger aircraft went down in the Meghani area of the city. 

The crash occurred moments after the flight took off. A dark plume of smoke could be seen rising from the crash site, visible from several kilometres away.

The 242 passengers and crew members on board the flight, which, included 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and a Canadian citizen. Rescue efforts are currently underway and more information on the tragedy is expected shortly.

Air India has said in a statement that the crash took place shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad at 1.38 pm. "Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off. 

The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals," the airline has said.

"The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident," it has added.

The airline said it will release further information through regular updates on social media.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has said he is monitoring the situation and directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. "My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families," he said in a post on X. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to the Civil Aviation Minister and taken stock of the situation.