NEW DELHI: The total number of fatalities from the devastating Air India Dreamliner disaster near Ahmedabad climbed to 274 by Saturday evening. Among them were 33 civilians who were not aboard the aircraft but were tragically caught in the impact zone. The Tata conglomerate, which owns Air India, has confirmed that these 33 ground victims will also be entitled to the ₹1 crore compensation offered to the deceased passengers.
In a public statement, Tata Group representatives assured that those injured in the catastrophic incident would receive full medical support. All healthcare costs will be borne by the company, and efforts are underway to ensure the injured are provided comprehensive treatment and emotional assistance throughout their recovery.
The crash, which occurred close to Meghaninagar, an area adjoining the airport claimed the lives of a wide spectrum of people including medical students, healthcare personnel, doctors, and local residents. Many of the affected were reportedly inside or near the BJ Medical College campus, which sustained major structural damage in the accident.
In response to the destruction caused, the Tatas have pledged to help in the rebuilding of the hostel block of BJ Medical College, which was severely impacted by the aircraft’s crash path.
A total of 241 individuals onboard the aircraft, including crew members, were confirmed dead. Only one person survived the crash. The 33 other casualties were ground-level victims believed to have been present on the BJ Medical campus when the aircraft came down.
When asked about potential non-monetary support, such as employment for the families of the deceased, a Tata official clarified that no such plans have been finalized yet. “We are still evaluating the full extent of the situation, and a formal inquiry is now underway,” the official noted.
In addition to the ₹1 crore assistance from the Tata Group, families of the passengers who perished in the crash are expected to receive approximately ₹1.5 crore through insurance payouts. The key insurers for Air India’s policy include Tata AIG General Insurance holding the majority share of over 40% along with ICICI Lombard, New India Assurance, and other government-backed insurance providers. The ultimate financial liability will be borne by a consortium of global reinsurers led by AIG.
