Ahmedabad Plane Crash Live: DNA Samples Of 19 Victims Matched, Toll Reaches 274

 Ahmedabad Plane Crash Live Updates: At least 274 people were killed in one of India's deadliest plane crashes involving a London-bound Air India flight in Ahmedabad earlier this week, sources said on Saturday. The casualties, the sources added, include the passengers and crew on board AI 171, and local residents on ground.

At the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, the DNA samples of 19 people who died in the crash have been matched, while one body has been handed over to the family of the victim.

The developments came as a high-level multi-disciplinary committee, headed by the Union home secretary, has been formed to examine the causes that led to the crash on Thursday, and suggest comprehensive guidelines to prevent such incidents in the future.

On Thursday, AI 171 - belonging to Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 fleet - crashed seconds after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Officials said the aircraft lost altitude soon after taking off at around 1.30 pm. It crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College before going up in flames, sending plumes of thick black smoke spiralling up in the air.

The pilot had issued a 'Mayday' distress call, denoting a full emergency, soon after takeoff, the Air Traffic Control at Ahmedabad said.