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

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

Shock, grief and disbelief rippled through Indian-American communities across the United States as news broke of the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. The sudden loss of so many lives, including young medical students and families, has left hearts broken and prayers pouring in from coast to coast.

For many in the diaspora, the tragedy is not just a distant headline — it is personal. Ahmedabad, a city they call home or know through family and friends, has been struck by a sorrow that transcends oceans. The anguish of losing loved ones in such a catastrophic accident resonates deeply within their hearts, stirring memories, tears and a collective sense of mourning.

“This tragedy resonates deeply,” said Jagdip Ahluwalia, Founding Secretary of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston. “I visited Ahmedabad last year to help build business ties between Houston and Gujarat. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected,” he told PTI.

To the naked eye, everything seemed fine when the Air India Boeing 787-8 accelerated during its take-off roll in Ahmedabad airport on Thursday. The next few seconds, however, indicated the plane could be in trouble as it did not gain the altitude usually expected of a passenger aircraft of this size and type. It flew level for a few more seconds before losing altitude. By then the visuals said it loud and clear – the flight was not going to make it.

A senior commercial pilot who has flown the same Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad on Thursday spoke to for the first time in an exclusive interview on what may have gone wrong with the aircraft.

Captain Rakesh Rai, who flew Boeing 787 aircraft for the Tata-owned airline as recently as last year, shared first-hand insights on the Dreamliner’s characteristics, his experience of flying this aircraft model, and his views on what may have led the Dreamliner to crash in Ahmedabad, in one of the deadliest aviation accidents in India.

A high-level multi-disciplinary committee, headed by the Union home secretary, will examine the causes that led to the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, and also suggest comprehensive guidelines to prevent such incidents in the future.

The civil aviation ministry said the committee will not be a substitute to other enquiries being conducted by relevant organisations.

The panel “will focus on formulating SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for preventing and handling such occurrences in the future”, and will publish its report in three months, the ministry said.