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In a significant diplomatic outreach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Cyprus on Sunday afternoon (local time), marking the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to the island nation. The visit is seen as an important stopover ahead of the G7 Summit in Canada and a reflection of India's renewed focus on strengthening ties with European partners. PM Modi was received with a ceremonial welcome at Larnaca International Airport by the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. His arrival is being described as a historic moment by both Indian and Cyprus diplomatic sources. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with the President of Cyprus. Key issues on the agenda include expanding cooperation in trade and investment, IT and innovation, defence, shipping, renewable energy, and people-to-people ties. Both leaders are also expected to exchange views on global and regional developments, including maritime security and the situation in West Asia. PM Modi is visiting Cyprus at the invitation of President Nicos Christodoulides and will be accompanied by a large delegation of around 100 officials.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I thank the Indian community for the affection. India will keep working to deepen ties with Cyprus in the times to come. <a href="https://t.co/crtVH7ScOo">pic.twitter.com/crtVH7ScOo</a>&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1934266080849265045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ahead of his arrival, the Indian diaspora in Cyprus was brimming with excitement at PM Modi's much-anticipated visit. India and Cyprus have traditionally enjoyed strong diplomatic relations since the establishment of ties in 1962. Cyprus has consistently supported India's position on Kashmir and other key issues at international platforms, including the United Nations. Apart from official meetings, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to address and interact with members of the Indian diaspora in Cyprus. Although small in number, the Indian community plays a vital role in local education, healthcare, and business sectors. The Cyprus visit is seen as a strategic component of India's evolving foreign policy posture -- one that seeks to build stronger partnerships with smaller but geopolitically significant nations across Europe and the Mediterranean.

In a landmark diplomatic outreach, PM Modi arrives in Cyprus—the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister—aiming to deepen ties in trade, defence, IT, and maritime security ahead of the G7 Summit.

In a significant diplomatic outreach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Cyprus on Sunday afternoon (local time), marking the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to the island nation. The visit is seen as an important stopover ahead of the G7 Summit in Canada and a reflection of India's renewed focus on strengthening ties with European partners. PM Modi was received with a ceremonial welcome at Larnaca International Airport by the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. His arrival is being described as a historic moment by both Indian and Cyprus diplomatic sources. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with the President of Cyprus. Key issues on the agenda include expanding cooperation in trade and investment, IT and innovation, defence, shipping, renewable energy, and people-to-people ties. Both leaders are also expected to exchange views on global and regional developments, including maritime security and the situation in West Asia. PM Modi is visiting Cyprus at the invitation of President Nicos Christodoulides and will be accompanied by a large delegation of around 100 officials.

In a landmark diplomatic outreach, PM Modi arrives in Cyprus—the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister—aiming to deepen ties in trade, defence, IT, and maritime security ahead of the G7 Summit.

PM Modi makes historic first visit to Cyprus ahead of G7, strengthens strategic Mediterranean ties

Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier has slammed Pakistan’s audacious claims of shooting down three Indian Air Force Rafale jets during Operation Sindoor, denouncing the assertion as “factually incorrect”.&nbsp;Trappier’s rebuttal casts serious doubt on the credibility of Pakistan’s narrative. In an interview to the French magazine Challenges, Trappier said, “What Pakistan is claiming about downing three Rafales is simply not true.”He made it clear that Dassault, the French company that manufactures the Rafale, has received no official communication from the IAF indicating any such losses.&nbsp;“What we already know is that what the Pakistanis are saying about destroying three Rafale planes is inaccurate,” Trappier said.The Dassault Chairman and CEO then went on to add, “When the complete details are known, the reality may surprise many.”&nbsp;In the interview just ahead of the Paris Air Show, Trappier highlighted the formidable reputation of the Rafale as a premier multirole fighter jet.&nbsp;“If you want a single aircraft capable of air-to-air combat, reconnaissance, ground strikes, nuclear deterrence, and aircraft carrier deployment, Rafale is unmatched,” he said.&nbsp;While accepting the stealth advantage of the American F-22, he maintained that the Rafale is superior to the F-35 in real-world versatility and performance.&nbsp;“It’s far better than anything China currently offers,” he said.&nbsp;India has denied that it lost fighter jets during Operation Sindoor.&nbsp;Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif had earlier claimed that Pakistani forces downed five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, and captured Indian soldiers during a retaliatory attack following India’s precision airstrikes during Operation Sindoor.&nbsp;&nbsp;Defence analysts had already dismissed the Pakistani narrative as sheer propaganda, which is in tune with the country’s playbook, as has been the experience in the past.&nbsp;In a tragic incident, heavily armed terrorists from Pakistan launched a brutal attack at a picturesque tourist spot in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 innocent civilians. The attack triggered a massive outrage across the nation and resulted in widespread calls for decisive action against cross-border terrorism.

While accepting the stealth advantage of the American F-22, he maintained that the Rafale is superior to the F-35 in real-world versatility and performance. “It’s far better than anything China currently offers,” he said.

Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier has slammed Pakistan’s audacious claims of shooting down three Indian Air Force Rafale jets during Operation Sindoor, denouncing the assertion as “factually incorrect”. Trappier’s rebuttal casts serious doubt on the credibility of Pakistan’s narrative. In an interview to the French magazine Challenges, Trappier said, “What Pakistan is claiming about downing three Rafales is simply not true.” He made it clear that Dassault, the French company that manufactures the Rafale, has received no official communication from the IAF indicating any such losses. “What we already know is that what the Pakistanis are saying about destroying three Rafale planes is inaccurate,” Trappier said. The Dassault Chairman and CEO then went on to add, “When the complete details are known, the reality may surprise many.” In the interview just ahead of the Paris Air Show, Trappier highlighted the formidable reputation of the Rafale as a premier multirole fighter jet. “If you want a single aircraft capable of air-to-air combat, reconnaissance, ground strikes, nuclear deterrence, and aircraft carrier deployment, Rafale is unmatched,” he said. While accepting the stealth advantage of the American F-22, he maintained that the Rafale is superior to the F-35 in real-world versatility and performance. “It’s far better than anything China currently offers,” he said. India has denied that it lost fighter jets during Operation Sindoor. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif had earlier claimed that Pakistani forces downed five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, and captured Indian soldiers during a retaliatory attack following India’s precision airstrikes during Operation Sindoor. Defence analysts had already dismissed the Pakistani narrative as sheer propaganda, which is in tune with the country’s playbook, as has been the experience in the past. In a tragic incident, heavily armed terrorists from Pakistan launched a brutal attack at a picturesque tourist spot in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 innocent civilians. The attack triggered a massive outrage across the nation and resulted in widespread calls for decisive action against cross-border terrorism.

While accepting the stealth advantage of the American F-22, he maintained that the Rafale is superior to the F-35 in real-world versatility and performance. “It’s far better than anything China currently offers,” he said.

‘Factually incorrect’: Dassault CEO refutes Pak claim of downing India’s Rafale jets

A British F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at the International Airport after running low on fuel, sources said . &nbsp;The jet, which is believed to have taken off from an aircraft carrier, landed safely at around 9.30 pm, they said on Sunday. Airport authorities declared an emergency to ensure a smooth and safe landing, said a source.&nbsp;"Normal occurence of diversion by F-35. IAF fully aware and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance being given, and IAF is in coordination with all agencies," the Indian Air Force said in a statement.&nbsp; Operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF), this particular F-35 is based out of RAF Marham in Norfolk. The emergency landing in India followed an earlier incident back in the UK. On Thursday, the same model aircraft was forced to declare an emergency during a routine flight near its home base due to what the RAF described as a "minor technical issue." The jet landed safely without further complications.&nbsp;“The RAF can confirm an F-35 Lightning experienced a minor technical issue during a routine flight last night,” an RAF spokesperson stated on Friday, underscoring that the situation was under control and no injuries were reported.

British fighter jet makes emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram

A British F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at the International Airport after running low on fuel, sources said . The jet, which is believed to have taken off from an aircraft carrier, landed safely at around 9.30 pm, they said on Sunday. Airport authorities declared an emergency to ensure a smooth and safe landing, said a source. "Normal occurence of diversion by F-35. IAF fully aware and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance being given, and IAF is in coordination with all agencies," the Indian Air Force said in a statement. Operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF), this particular F-35 is based out of RAF Marham in Norfolk. The emergency landing in India followed an earlier incident back in the UK. On Thursday, the same model aircraft was forced to declare an emergency during a routine flight near its home base due to what the RAF described as a "minor technical issue." The jet landed safely without further complications. “The RAF can confirm an F-35 Lightning experienced a minor technical issue during a routine flight last night,” an RAF spokesperson stated on Friday, underscoring that the situation was under control and no injuries were reported.

A British fighter jet made an emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (June 15)

In a harrowing incident, several people are feared to be drowned after a bridge near Pune collapsed. The bridge built over the Indrayani river in Kundmala was a popular tourist destination.&nbsp;There is heavy rush on the bridge during the monsoon. Due to the weekend crowd, the bridge was heavily loaded when it gave way.&nbsp;According to preliminary reports, 10 to 15 people are feared trapped, while 5 to 6 people have been rescued.&nbsp;The has been six casualties reported so far. The numbers are likely to rise further.&nbsp;Teams from the local police, disaster response units, and villagers are carrying out rescue operation.&nbsp;The decades old bridge served as a pedestrian route for tourists and pilgrims visiting the Kund Mala area, near Talegaon Dabhade in Pune. It is popular for its naturally hollowed-out rocks formed by the Indrayani River on which the bridge was built.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In a harrowing incident, several people are feared to be drowned after a bridge in Pune collapsed.

In a harrowing incident, several people are feared to be drowned after a bridge near Pune collapsed. The bridge built over the Indrayani river in Kundmala was a popular tourist destination. There is heavy rush on the bridge during the monsoon. Due to the weekend crowd, the bridge was heavily loaded when it gave way. According to preliminary reports, 10 to 15 people are feared trapped, while 5 to 6 people have been rescued. The has been six casualties reported so far. The numbers are likely to rise further. Teams from the local police, disaster response units, and villagers are carrying out rescue operation. The decades old bridge served as a pedestrian route for tourists and pilgrims visiting the Kund Mala area, near Talegaon Dabhade in Pune. It is popular for its naturally hollowed-out rocks formed by the Indrayani River on which the bridge was built.

In a harrowing incident, several people are feared to be drowned after a bridge in Pune collapsed.

At least 6 dead as bridge collapses near Pune, rescue operations underway

A British F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) on Saturday after running low on fuel, the airport officials said.&nbsp;&nbsp;The jet took off from an aircraft carrier stationed approximately 100 nautical miles off the coast. Later. as it landed at 9:28 safely at the Kerala airport, its refuelling was completed.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, there’s something else that can also be done if a jet runs out of fuel mid-air. This F-35 made an emergency landing, but a viral video shows the jet can get refuelled mid-air.&nbsp;&nbsp;Last year, a video went viral showing the process of refuelling a jet. The stunning showcasing of how this process is done sparked curiosity among netizens.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">This is how jets refuel in midair.<a href="https://t.co/yJR11vfsR5">pic.twitter.com/yJR11vfsR5</a>&mdash; Wonder of Science (@wonderofscience) <a href="https://twitter.com/wonderofscience/status/1836761913910333498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In the video, a jet plane is seen flying high in the sky, showing a spectacular process of how the refuelling is being done. As shown, a pipe comes out from the plane with a suction valve. After it gets closer to another aircraft, the two planes connect with another pipe, making it easy to share fuel while in the air.&nbsp;&nbsp;The video was captioned, “This is how jets refuel in midair.”&nbsp;&nbsp;This happened first time in 2021 when the US Navy refuelled a F/A-18 Super Hornet using the unnamed drone MQ-25 T1.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/british-fighter-jet-makes-emergency-landing-in-thiruvananthapuram-1749968258108">Also read: British fighter jet makes emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram</a>&nbsp;This marks a huge step up in aerial refuelling technology as we witness the advancement in technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;Earlier today, as the jet sought permission from the airport authorities for an emergency landing, the authorities declared an emergency to ensure a safe landing for the jet.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The jet is currently at the airport and the re-fuelling has been completed. It will be allowed to depart after requisite permission from the Indian authorities,” the official said.

This happened first time in 2021 when the US Navy refuelled a F/A-18 Super Hornet using the unnamed drone MQ-25 T1. 

A British F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) on Saturday after running low on fuel, the airport officials said. The jet took off from an aircraft carrier stationed approximately 100 nautical miles off the coast. Later. as it landed at 9:28 safely at the Kerala airport, its refuelling was completed. However, there’s something else that can also be done if a jet runs out of fuel mid-air. This F-35 made an emergency landing, but a viral video shows the jet can get refuelled mid-air. Last year, a video went viral showing the process of refuelling a jet. The stunning showcasing of how this process is done sparked curiosity among netizens.

This happened first time in 2021 when the US Navy refuelled a F/A-18 Super Hornet using the unnamed drone MQ-25 T1.

What happens if a jet runs out of fuel mid-air? Know as British F-35 makes emergency landing in Kerala -WATCH

The Air India plane crash in Gujarat's Ahmedabad was an incident the country would want to forget. The horrific accident claimed the lives of 241 people with only one survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh&nbsp;The British national of Indian origin may be happy of surviving the crash but deep down he knows the loss suffered by people. In fact he was travelling to the UK with his brother who was also in the same plane, Ramesh's brother &nbsp;sitting in a different row was not fortunate like him as he was among the 241 fatalities.&nbsp;“We are happy Viswash has been saved, but on the other hand we are just heartbroken about Ajay,” Hiren Kantilal, Ramesh’s cousin, said speaking to Hindustan Times.&nbsp;Both the brothers were on a vacation to India and were leaving for UK.&nbsp;Ramesh survived as a portion of the plane where he was seated (11A) fell on the ground and the door broke open.&nbsp;“Luckily, the portion of the plane where I was seated fell on the ground floor of the hostel premises after the plane crash-landed. When I saw that the door of the plane was broken, I told myself I can try and get out,” said Ramesh.&nbsp;There were 51 other British nationals on the Air India flight, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals.&nbsp;Victims identified by DNA test&nbsp;Meanwhile, 31 victims of the incident have been identified via DNA test. Among the identified bodies, 12 have been handed over to the respective families.&nbsp;The bodies taken out of the debris are being taken to the Additional Medical Superintendent of the Civil Hospital. Dr Rajnish Patel of the hospital said, "The bodies of 31 DNAs have been matched. 12 bodies have been handed over to their respective family members. We are waiting for others to come and collect the remains of their relatives." &nbsp;

Ramesh survived as a portion of the plane where he was seated (11A) fell on the ground and the door broke open.

The Air India plane crash in Gujarat's Ahmedabad was an incident the country would want to forget. The horrific accident claimed the lives of 241 people with only one survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh The British national of Indian origin may be happy of surviving the crash but deep down he knows the loss suffered by people. In fact he was travelling to the UK with his brother who was also in the same plane, Ramesh's brother sitting in a different row was not fortunate like him as he was among the 241 fatalities. “We are happy Viswash has been saved, but on the other hand we are just heartbroken about Ajay,” Hiren Kantilal, Ramesh’s cousin, said speaking to Hindustan Times. Both the brothers were on a vacation to India and were leaving for UK. Ramesh survived as a portion of the plane where he was seated (11A) fell on the ground and the door broke open. “Luckily, the portion of the plane where I was seated fell on the ground floor of the hostel premises after the plane crash-landed. When I saw that the door of the plane was broken, I told myself I can try and get out,” said Ramesh. There were 51 other British nationals on the Air India flight, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals. Victims identified by DNA test Meanwhile, 31 victims of the incident have been identified via DNA test. Among the identified bodies, 12 have been handed over to the respective families. The bodies taken out of the debris are being taken to the Additional Medical Superintendent of the Civil Hospital. Dr Rajnish Patel of the hospital said, "The bodies of 31 DNAs have been matched. 12 bodies have been handed over to their respective family members. We are waiting for others to come and collect the remains of their relatives."

Ramesh survived as a portion of the plane where he was seated (11A) fell on the ground and the door broke open.

One flight, two fates: Lone survivor Vishwas Kumar walked away from crash that killed his brother

From captain Sumeet Sabharwal to Lamnunthem Singson death, the Ahmedabad plane crash left unhealing wounds for hundreds if not thousands as we take a look at five tragedies that echo across India. 

5 personal tragedies from Ahmedabad plane crash that echo across India

A wave of love and support is reaching the Indian Army—not through grand speeches or parades, but through something much more personal: letters.&nbsp;&nbsp;From different walks of life, people across the country are writing heartfelt messages to the Indian soldiers, thanking them for their service and sacrifice.&nbsp;The Indian Army shared a glimpse of these touching letters on Sunday (June 15) on social media platform X, and it’s a powerful reminder that behind every soldier is a grateful nation. These small notes, filled with big emotions, are strengthening the bond between the people and the protectors of our country.<h2>Indian Army shares video on X</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">A heartfelt compilation of letters from civilians, expressing their unwavering support, deep admiration and gratitude for the Indian Army during Operation Sindoor. Their words echo pride, resilience and the enduring spirit of heroism that continues to inspire us all.… <a href="https://t.co/jKu7vDUJxo">pic.twitter.com/jKu7vDUJxo</a>&mdash; ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) <a href="https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1934156471777772004?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Read what they wrote</h2>The Indian Army in their post on X said, “A heartfelt compilation of letters from civilians, expressing their unwavering support, deep admiration and gratitude for the Indian Army during Operation Sindoor. Their words echo pride, resilience and the enduring spirit of heroism that continues to inspire us all. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/IndianArmy?src=hashtag_click">#IndianArmy</a> – Always in service of the nation, with honour and dedication!”&nbsp;One of the citizens named Rupesh Harishchandra Mainkar wrote, “I want no salary or compensation or recognition or any certificate. I just need your authorisation and uniform and permission to fight for the country in the infantry.”&nbsp;Another user Suryanarayana, Chairman, States Civil Services Retired Officers' Association, &nbsp;said, “We salute and congratulate all the heads of Indian Armed Forces for countering the missile attacks launched by Pakistan to strike civilian and military locations in northern and western India. India had hit multiple terror infrastructure facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir under 'Operation Sindoor'.”&nbsp;Another user, Vaishnu Sankar S said, “During the Kargil War, I had the honour to serve as as volunteer, lending my shoulder to brave hearts at Base Hospital, Srinagar. That experience left an incredible mark on my soul, and I want you to know, Sir, that the josh to serve my nation still burns strong within me.”&nbsp;The Indian Army said that the letters came in from every village, every city. In the end of the video, the Indian Army thanked the citizens for their trust and support.&nbsp;

If India needs us we stand ready A nation writes back Operation Sindoor sparks civilian wave of support

A wave of love and support is reaching the Indian Army—not through grand speeches or parades, but through something much more personal: letters. From different walks of life, people across the country are writing heartfelt messages to the Indian soldiers, thanking them for their service and sacrifice. The Indian Army shared a glimpse of these touching letters on Sunday (June 15) on social media platform X, and it’s a powerful reminder that behind every soldier is a grateful nation. These small notes, filled with big emotions, are strengthening the bond between the people and the protectors of our country. Indian Army shares video on X

Their words echo pride, resilience and the enduring spirit of heroism that continues to inspire us all

'If India needs us, we stand ready' | A nation writes back: Operation Sindoor sparks civilian wave of support

Ahmedabad plane crash: As the rescue operation continues after the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, the dead body of the former Gujarat chief minister, Vijay Rupani, has been identified via DNA test on Sunday (June 15).&nbsp;"Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani lost his life during the Air India crash in Ahmedabad on 12th June. Today, at around 11:10 AM, his DNA has matched. He worked for the people of the state for several years," &nbsp;Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi said.&nbsp;""CM Bhupendra Patel went to the residence of former CM Vijay Rupani and informed his family that his DNA matching has been done. CM has also informed the family that the state government will support them in the further proceedings of the last rites in Rajkot," Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said.&nbsp;"The family members will decide when they will take over his mortal remains," he added.&nbsp;31 victims identified by DNA test&nbsp;So far, 31 victims of the incident have been identified via DNA test. Among the identified bodies, 12 have been handed over to the respective families.&nbsp;The bodies taken out of the debris are being taken to the Additional Medical Superintendent of the Civil Hospital. Dr Rajnish Patel of the hospital said, "The bodies of 31 DNAs have been matched. 12 bodies have been handed over to their respective family members. We are waiting for others to come and collect the remains of their relatives."&nbsp;As of June 14, the death toll reached 279 in the incident after the Air India Flight AI 171 crashed and hit the building of the BJ Medical College. At least four medical students and relatives died in the incident, as confirmed by the officials.&nbsp;All Boeing 787 aircraft to be inspectedThe Indian Civil Aviation Ministry briefed the media on the passenger aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday (June 12).&nbsp;The Civil Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, said that all Boeing 787 aircraft were to be inspected. He said that 8 of them have already been inspected.&nbsp;

Ahmedabad plane crash: Vijay Rupani body identified via DNA test, family to take over his mortal remains


Ahmedabad plane crash: As the rescue operation continues after the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, the dead body of the former Gujarat chief minister, Vijay Rupani, has been identified via DNA test on Sunday (June 15). "Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani lost his life during the Air India crash in Ahmedabad on 12th June. Today, at around 11:10 AM, his DNA has matched. He worked for the people of the state for several years," Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi said. ""CM Bhupendra Patel went to the residence of former CM Vijay Rupani and informed his family that his DNA matching has been done. CM has also informed the family that the state government will support them in the further proceedings of the last rites in Rajkot," Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said. "The family members will decide when they will take over his mortal remains," he added. 31 victims identified by DNA test So far, 31 victims of the incident have been identified via DNA test. Among the identified bodies, 12 have been handed over to the respective families. The bodies taken out of the debris are being taken to the Additional Medical Superintendent of the Civil Hospital. Dr Rajnish Patel of the hospital said, "The bodies of 31 DNAs have been matched. 12 bodies have been handed over to their respective family members. We are waiting for others to come and collect the remains of their relatives." As of June 14, the death toll reached 279 in the incident after the Air India Flight AI 171 crashed and hit the building of the BJ Medical College. At least four medical students and relatives died in the incident, as confirmed by the officials. All Boeing 787 aircraft to be inspected The Indian Civil Aviation Ministry briefed the media on the passenger aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday (June 12). The Civil Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, said that all Boeing 787 aircraft were to be inspected. He said that 8 of them have already been inspected.

As the rescue operation continues after the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, the dead body of the former Gujarat chief minister, Vijay Rupani, has been identified via DNA test on Sunday (June 15).&nbsp;

Ahmedabad plane crash: Vijay Rupani's body identified via DNA test, family to take over his mortal remains

On Thursday (June 12), an Air India flight, bound to London, took off from India's Ahmedabad. Just 33 seconds after take-off, the aircraft, &nbsp;Boeing 787, lost control and crashed into a medical college building. The crash caused a massive blast, and the initial report said no one on the plane likely survived. There were 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and two pilots on the aircraft. It crashed into the building of the BJ Medical College when the students were having their lunch. So far, out of the 242 onboard, 241 people have died. Just a single passenger named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh survived the horrifying crash. Apart from those on the aircraft, four medical students and their family members also died in the crash.&nbsp;Ramesh, an Indian-origin British national, was seated on the 11A in the Boeing Dreamliner aircraft. He was seen walking to the ambulance by himself after the rescue team found him alive.&nbsp;"I don't know how I came out of it alive," the 40-year-old lone survivor said.&nbsp;"For a while, I thought I was about to die. But when I opened my eyes, I saw I was alive. And I opened my seat belt and got out of there. The airhostess and aunty-uncle, all died before my eyes," he added.&nbsp;Since the incident, speculations started around the seat no 11A, where Ramesh was seated. Not just this, in a similar incident that happened in 1998, a Thai actor-singer who survived a deadly plane crash was seated on 11A.So, is 11A the safest seat on an aircraft? What is the safest placement of a seat in an aircraft? Here's all we know about it.&nbsp;The safest area in an aircraft?&nbsp;Although it's not possible to confirm a particular seat or place that can be considered safest in an aircraft, as it depends on the type of aircraft and the severity of an accident, we can tell you what reports and experts say.In general understanding, sitting in the middle or at the rear of an aircraft is statistically considered safe.&nbsp;The National Transportation Safety Board did a study in 2017 to find the safest seat on a plane. The researchers investigated 20 plane crashed that occurred since 1971. The study found that people sitting at the back of the aircraft had a higher chance of staying alive than those in the front. Also, people sitting near the wing of the plane had a better chance of surviving a crash.&nbsp;Moreover, the TIME conducted a study in 2015 around the same concern. It found that he middle seats in the back of the aircraft were those with the lowest fatality rates. It also found that the most unsafe seats were on the aisle in the middle-third of the cabin.&nbsp;What the experts say&nbsp;Reacting to the survival of Ramesh in the Ahmedabad Air India flight crash, Steve Wright, a former systems and software engineer in the commercial aerospace industry and a former associate professor of avionics and aircraft systems at UWE Bristol, said the accident was “atypical.”&nbsp;Talking to the TIME, Wright said, "When an aircraft goes [down], it’s usually nose first, which is, of course, why seat 11a would be [among] the first to [feel the impact]."&nbsp;But the Air India flight “sunk” into the ground with "the nose up.” Wright attributes Ramesh's survival to being “ironically, partly because he was at the front.”&nbsp;Wright also said that the safest place inside an aircraft is near its wings. He said it is because there is more &nbsp;“structural support” to protect a passenger in case of an emergency.&nbsp;

Can your seat save you in a plane crash? Here is what experts say about the safest place on aircraft | WION Explains

On Thursday (June 12), an Air India flight, bound to London, took off from India's Ahmedabad. Just 33 seconds after take-off, the aircraft, Boeing 787, lost control and crashed into a medical college building. The crash caused a massive blast, and the initial report said no one on the plane likely survived. There were 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and two pilots on the aircraft. It crashed into the building of the BJ Medical College when the students were having their lunch. So far, out of the 242 onboard, 241 people have died. Just a single passenger named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh survived the horrifying crash. Apart from those on the aircraft, four medical students and their family members also died in the crash. Ramesh, an Indian-origin British national, was seated on the 11A in the Boeing Dreamliner aircraft. He was seen walking to the ambulance by himself after the rescue team found him alive. "I don't know how I came out of it alive," the 40-year-old lone survivor said. "For a while, I thought I was about to die. But when I opened my eyes, I saw I was alive. And I opened my seat belt and got out of there. The airhostess and aunty-uncle, all died before my eyes," he added. Since the incident, speculations started around the seat no 11A, where Ramesh was seated. Not just this, in a similar incident that happened in 1998, a Thai actor-singer who survived a deadly plane crash was seated on 11A. So, is 11A the safest seat on an aircraft? What is the safest placement of a seat in an aircraft? Here's all we know about it. The safest area in an aircraft? Although it's not possible to confirm a particular seat or place that can be considered safest in an aircraft, as it depends on the type of aircraft and the severity of an accident, we can tell you what reports and experts say. In general understanding, sitting in the middle or at the rear of an aircraft is statistically considered safe. The National Transportation Safety Board did a study in 2017 to find the safest seat on a plane. The researchers investigated 20 plane crashed that occurred since 1971. The study found that people sitting at the back of the aircraft had a higher chance of staying alive than those in the front. Also, people sitting near the wing of the plane had a better chance of surviving a crash. Moreover, the TIME conducted a study in 2015 around the same concern. It found that he middle seats in the back of the aircraft were those with the lowest fatality rates. It also found that the most unsafe seats were on the aisle in the middle-third of the cabin. What the experts say Reacting to the survival of Ramesh in the Ahmedabad Air India flight crash, Steve Wright, a former systems and software engineer in the commercial aerospace industry and a former associate professor of avionics and aircraft systems at UWE Bristol, said the accident was “atypical.” Talking to the TIME, Wright said, "When an aircraft goes [down], it’s usually nose first, which is, of course, why seat 11a would be [among] the first to [feel the impact]." But the Air India flight “sunk” into the ground with "the nose up.” Wright attributes Ramesh's survival to being “ironically, partly because he was at the front.” Wright also said that the safest place inside an aircraft is near its wings. He said it is because there is more “structural support” to protect a passenger in case of an emergency.

Although it's not possible to confirm a particular seat or place that can be considered safest in an aircraft, as it depends on the type of aircraft and the severity of an accident, we can tell you what reports and experts say.

Can your seat save you in a plane crash? Here's what experts say about the safest place on aircraft | WION Explains

Ahmedabad plane crash: Amid the ongoing investigation into the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad, Turkey denied the role of its firm in the maintenance of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Turkey's Directorate of Communications Center for Countering Disinformation took to the social media platform X and said that the claim of Turkish Technic carrying out the maintenance of the Boeing 787-8 passenger aircraft was “false”.&nbsp;"The claim that ‘the maintenance of the Boeing 787-8 passenger aircraft was carried out by Turkish Technic’ following the crash of an Air India passenger aircraft during take-off is false," the Center said in the post."The claim that the crashed aircraft was maintained by Turkish Technic constitutes disinformation aimed at manipulating public opinion regarding Türkiye-India relations," it added.&nbsp;"Under the agreements made between Air India and Turkish Technic in 2024 and 2025, maintenance services are provided exclusively for B777-type wide-body aircraft. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in the accident does not fall within the scope of this agreement. To date, Turkish Technic has not conducted maintenance on any Air India aircraft of this type," the agency further said.&nbsp;The agency also said that it is aware of which company performed the most recent maintenance on the crashed aircraft, but it would not make any statement on it to avoid further speculation.&nbsp;"As the people of Türkiye, we sincerely share the grief of the Indian people over this tragic plane crash," the agency said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The claim that ‘the maintenance of the Boeing 787-8 passenger aircraft was carried out by Turkish Technic’ following the crash of an Air India passenger aircraft during take-off is false. The claim that the crashed aircraft was maintained by Turkish Technic constitutes… <a href="https://t.co/lmdjVKHMSo">pic.twitter.com/lmdjVKHMSo</a>&mdash; Dezenformasyonla Mücadele Merkezi (@dmmiletisim) <a href="https://twitter.com/dmmiletisim/status/1933505096291131671?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ahmedabad crash&nbsp;As the rescue operation is still underway after the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad, 31 victims of the incident have been identified via DNA test. Among the identified bodies, 12 have been handed over to the respective families.&nbsp;The bodies taken out of the debris are being taken to the Additional Medical Superintendent of the Civil Hospital. Dr Rajnish Patel of the hospital said, "The bodies of 31 DNAs have been matched. 12 bodies have been handed over to their respective family members. We are waiting for others to come and collect the remains of their relatives."&nbsp;As of June 14, the death toll reached 279 in the incident after the Air India Flight AI 171 crashed and hit the building of the BJ Medical College. At least four medical students and relatives died in the incident, as confirmed by the officials.&nbsp;

Turkey denies role in maintenance of Air India aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad | Here is all you need to know 

Ahmedabad plane crash: Amid the ongoing investigation into the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad, Turkey denied the role of its firm in the maintenance of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Turkey's Directorate of Communications Center for Countering Disinformation took to the social media platform X and said that the claim of Turkish Technic carrying out the maintenance of the Boeing 787-8 passenger aircraft was “false”. "The claim that ‘the maintenance of the Boeing 787-8 passenger aircraft was carried out by Turkish Technic’ following the crash of an Air India passenger aircraft during take-off is false," the Center said in the post. "The claim that the crashed aircraft was maintained by Turkish Technic constitutes disinformation aimed at manipulating public opinion regarding Türkiye-India relations," it added. "Under the agreements made between Air India and Turkish Technic in 2024 and 2025, maintenance services are provided exclusively for B777-type wide-body aircraft. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in the accident does not fall within the scope of this agreement. To date, Turkish Technic has not conducted maintenance on any Air India aircraft of this type," the agency further said. The agency also said that it is aware of which company performed the most recent maintenance on the crashed aircraft, but it would not make any statement on it to avoid further speculation. "As the people of Türkiye, we sincerely share the grief of the Indian people over this tragic plane crash," the agency said.

Amid the ongoing investigation into the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad, Turkey denied the role of its firm in the maintenance of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Turkey denies role in maintenance of Air India aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad | Here's all you need to know

At least one person was ‘critically injured’ after a shooting at a demonstration in the western US city of Salt Lake City, police said, with local media reporting the incident took place at a rally against US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;As Israel escalates its assaults on Iranian nuclear and military installations, an Israeli official has told The Wall Street Journal that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is “not off limits” for Israel and attacking him is a possibility that hasn’t been ruled out.&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from New Delhi for Cyprus on Sunday morning, marking the beginning of his three-nation diplomatic visit to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia. The tour aims to deepen India's ties with these countries in areas such as trade, investment, technology, and security, and to attend the G7 Summit in Canada.&nbsp;Click on the headlines to read more&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-critically-injured-as-gunshots-break-out-in-utah-during-no-kings-protest-police-1749957292426">One 'critically injured' as gunshots break out in Utah during ‘No Kings’ protest: Police</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250615/image-1749957765233.jpg?rect=(0,0,2048,1536)&amp;w=752&amp;h=564&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="One 'critically injured' as gunshots break out in Utah during ‘No Kings’ protest: Police"></figure>At least one person was ‘critically injured’ after a shooting at a demonstration in the western US city of Salt Lake City, police said, with local media reporting the incident took place at a rally against US President Donald Trump. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-s-supreme-leader-khamenei-not-off-limits-in-strikes-says-israeli-official-17499484716580">Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei ‘not off limits’, says Israeli official</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250615/image-1749949368104.jpg?rect=(0,78,1233,925)&amp;w=752&amp;h=564&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei ‘not off limits’, says Israeli official"></figure>As Israel escalates its assaults on Iranian nuclear and military installations, an Israeli official has told The Wall Street Journal that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is “not off limits” for Israel and attacking him is a possibility that hasn’t been ruled out. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-departs-for-cyprus-for-historic-3-nation-tour-ahead-of-g7-summit-1749962082550">PM Modi departs for Cyprus for 'historic' 3-nation tour ahead of G7 Summit</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250615/image-1749962269777.png?rect=(0,0,1200,900)&amp;w=752&amp;h=564&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="PM Modi departs for Cyprus for 'historic' 3-nation tour ahead of G7 Summit"></figure>Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from New Delhi for Cyprus on Sunday morning, marking the beginning of his three-nation diplomatic visit to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia. The tour aims to deepen India's ties with these countries in areas such as trade, investment, technology, and security, and to attend the G7 Summit in Canada. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ready-for-next-round-of-talks-on-ukraine-putin-tells-trump-1749955559636">Russia ready for next round of talks on Ukraine: Putin tells Trump</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250615/image-1749955768955.jpg?rect=(0,61,902,674)&amp;w=752&amp;h=564&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="Russia ready for next round of talks on Ukraine: Putin tells Trump"></figure>Russian President Vladimir Putin told his US counterpart Donald Trump Saturday that Moscow was ready to hold a fresh round of peace talks with Kyiv after June 22, once the sides complete exchanging prisoners and soldiers' bodies. WATCH | Oil prices surge on Iran-Israel tensions&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Oil prices surge on Iran-Israel tensions US crude surged 13% and closed near $73/ barrel <a href="https://twitter.com/BislaDiksha?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BislaDiksha</a> speaks to John Spencer, defence analyst, for more insights <a href="https://t.co/yRDFF2Kzau">pic.twitter.com/yRDFF2Kzau</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1934102913925661127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Morning news brief: Israel-Iran war updates; PM Modi departs for Cyprus, and more 

At least one person was ‘critically injured’ after a shooting at a demonstration in the western US city of Salt Lake City, police said, with local media reporting the incident took place at a rally against US President Donald Trump. As Israel escalates its assaults on Iranian nuclear and military installations, an Israeli official has told The Wall Street Journal that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is “not off limits” for Israel and attacking him is a possibility that hasn’t been ruled out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from New Delhi for Cyprus on Sunday morning, marking the beginning of his three-nation diplomatic visit to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia. The tour aims to deepen India's ties with these countries in areas such as trade, investment, technology, and security, and to attend the G7 Summit in Canada. Click on the headlines to read more One 'critically injured' as gunshots break out in Utah during ‘No Kings’ protest: Police At least one person was ‘critically injured’ after a shooting at a demonstration in the western US city of Salt Lake City, police said, with local media reporting the incident took place at a rally against US President Donald Trump. Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei ‘not off limits’, says Israeli official As Israel escalates its assaults on Iranian nuclear and military installations, an Israeli official has told The Wall Street Journal that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is “not off limits” for Israel and attacking him is a possibility that hasn’t been ruled out. PM Modi departs for Cyprus for 'historic' 3-nation tour ahead of G7 Summit Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from New Delhi for Cyprus on Sunday morning, marking the beginning of his three-nation diplomatic visit to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia. The tour aims to deepen India's ties with these countries in areas such as trade, investment, technology, and security, and to attend the G7 Summit in Canada. Russia ready for next round of talks on Ukraine: Putin tells Trump Russian President Vladimir Putin told his US counterpart Donald Trump Saturday that Moscow was ready to hold a fresh round of peace talks with Kyiv after June 22, once the sides complete exchanging prisoners and soldiers' bodies. WATCH | Oil prices surge on Iran-Israel tensions

Good morning! Start your day with WION's morning news brief.&nbsp;

Morning news brief: Israel-Iran war updates; PM Modi departs for Cyprus, and more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from New Delhi for Cyprus on Sunday morning, marking the beginning of his three-nation diplomatic visit to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia. The tour aims to deepen India's ties with these countries in areas such as trade, investment, technology, and security, and to attend the G7 Summit in Canada. Ahead of his departure, PM Modi issued a statement outlining the purpose and key highlights of his tour. "Today, I will embark on a three-nation tour to the Republic of Cyprus, Canada and Croatia," PM Modi's departure statement read. During the first leg of his visit, PM Modi will be in Cyprus on June 15-16. He is visiting the Mediterranean nation at the invitation of President Nikos Christodoulides. "On June 15-16, I will visit the Republic of Cyprus at the invitation of President HE Nikos Christodoulides. Cyprus is a close friend and an important partner in the Mediterranean region and the EU. The visit provides an opportunity to build upon the historical bonds and expand our ties in the areas of trade, investment, security, technology and promote people-to-people exchanges," the statement added. Following his visit to Cyprus, the Prime Minister will travel to Kananaskis, Canada, to attend the G7 Summit on June 16-17. He has been invited by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. This will be PM Modi's sixth consecutive participation in the G7 Summit. "From Cyprus, I will travel to Kananaskis, Canada to attend the G7 Summit at the invitation of Prime Minister HE Mark Carney. The Summit will provide space for exchange of views on pressing global issues and the priorities of the Global South. I also look forward to engaging with leaders from partner countries," he said. On June 18, PM Modi will visit Croatia, where he will meet President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. This will be the first-ever visit to Croatia by an Indian Prime Minister. "On 18 June, I look forward to my visit to the Republic of Croatia and meetings with President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. Both our countries enjoy centuries-old close cultural links. As the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, it will open new avenues for bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest," PM's departure statement added. The Prime Minister also said the tour is an opportunity to thank India's international partners for their continued support in the fight against terrorism. "This three-nation tour is also an opportunity to thank partner countries for their steadfast support to India in our fight against cross-border terrorism, and to galvanise global understanding on tackling terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," PM Modi, in his statement, added.

PM Modi departs for Cyprus for historic3-nation tour ahead of G7 Summit  


Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from New Delhi for Cyprus on Sunday morning, marking the beginning of his three-nation diplomatic visit to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia. The tour aims to deepen India's ties with these countries in areas such as trade, investment, technology, and security, and to attend the G7 Summit in Canada. Ahead of his departure, PM Modi issued a statement outlining the purpose and key highlights of his tour. "Today, I will embark on a three-nation tour to the Republic of Cyprus, Canada and Croatia," PM Modi's departure statement read. During the first leg of his visit, PM Modi will be in Cyprus on June 15-16. He is visiting the Mediterranean nation at the invitation of President Nikos Christodoulides. "On June 15-16, I will visit the Republic of Cyprus at the invitation of President HE Nikos Christodoulides. Cyprus is a close friend and an important partner in the Mediterranean region and the EU. The visit provides an opportunity to build upon the historical bonds and expand our ties in the areas of trade, investment, security, technology and promote people-to-people exchanges," the statement added. Following his visit to Cyprus, the Prime Minister will travel to Kananaskis, Canada, to attend the G7 Summit on June 16-17. He has been invited by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. This will be PM Modi's sixth consecutive participation in the G7 Summit. "From Cyprus, I will travel to Kananaskis, Canada to attend the G7 Summit at the invitation of Prime Minister HE Mark Carney. The Summit will provide space for exchange of views on pressing global issues and the priorities of the Global South. I also look forward to engaging with leaders from partner countries," he said. On June 18, PM Modi will visit Croatia, where he will meet President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. This will be the first-ever visit to Croatia by an Indian Prime Minister. "On 18 June, I look forward to my visit to the Republic of Croatia and meetings with President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. Both our countries enjoy centuries-old close cultural links. As the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, it will open new avenues for bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest," PM's departure statement added. The Prime Minister also said the tour is an opportunity to thank India's international partners for their continued support in the fight against terrorism. "This three-nation tour is also an opportunity to thank partner countries for their steadfast support to India in our fight against cross-border terrorism, and to galvanise global understanding on tackling terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," PM Modi, in his statement, added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from New Delhi for Cyprus on Sunday morning, marking the beginning of his three-nation diplomatic visit to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia.&nbsp;

PM Modi departs for Cyprus for 'historic' 3-nation tour ahead of G7 Summit

Ahmedabad plane crash: As the rescue operation is still underway after the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad, 31 victims of the incident have been identified via DNA test. Among the identified bodies, 12 have been handed over to the respective families.&nbsp;The bodies taken out of the debris are being taken to the Additional Medical Superintendent of the Civil Hospital. Dr Rajnish Patel of the hospital said, "The bodies of 31 DNAs have been matched. 12 bodies have been handed over to their respective family members. We are waiting for others to come and collect the remains of their relatives."&nbsp;As of June 14, the death toll reached 279 in the incident after the Air India Flight AI 171 crashed and hit the building of the BJ Medical College. At least four medical students and relatives died in the incident, as confirmed by the officials.&nbsp;All Boeing 787 aircraft to be inspected&nbsp;The Indian Civil Aviation Ministry briefed the media on the passenger aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday (June 12).&nbsp;The Civil Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, said that all Boeing 787 aircraft were to be inspected. He said that 8 of them have already been inspected.&nbsp;"The aviation ministry is taking the utmost seriousness of the incident. AAIB was rushed to the site to investigate. AAIB added two new members yesterday - Forensics &amp; Medical. Around 5 PM yesterday, the black box of the aircraft was recovered from the debris of the aircraft," Naidu said.&nbsp;“The team believes that the decoding of the black box is going to give an in-depth insight into what happened during the time of the crash,” he said.&nbsp;"AAIB team believes the decoding of the black box is going to give an in-depth insight into what happened," he added.&nbsp;

Ahmedabad crash: 31 passengers identified by DNA test, 12 bodies handed over to families | All updates 

Ahmedabad plane crash: As the rescue operation is still underway after the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad, 31 victims of the incident have been identified via DNA test. Among the identified bodies, 12 have been handed over to the respective families. The bodies taken out of the debris are being taken to the Additional Medical Superintendent of the Civil Hospital. Dr Rajnish Patel of the hospital said, "The bodies of 31 DNAs have been matched. 12 bodies have been handed over to their respective family members. We are waiting for others to come and collect the remains of their relatives." As of June 14, the death toll reached 279 in the incident after the Air India Flight AI 171 crashed and hit the building of the BJ Medical College. At least four medical students and relatives died in the incident, as confirmed by the officials. All Boeing 787 aircraft to be inspected The Indian Civil Aviation Ministry briefed the media on the passenger aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday (June 12). The Civil Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, said that all Boeing 787 aircraft were to be inspected. He said that 8 of them have already been inspected. "The aviation ministry is taking the utmost seriousness of the incident. AAIB was rushed to the site to investigate. AAIB added two new members yesterday - Forensics & Medical. Around 5 PM yesterday, the black box of the aircraft was recovered from the debris of the aircraft," Naidu said. “The team believes that the decoding of the black box is going to give an in-depth insight into what happened during the time of the crash,” he said. "AAIB team believes the decoding of the black box is going to give an in-depth insight into what happened," he added.

As the rescue operation is still underway after the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad, 31 passengers who died in the incident have been identified via DNA test. Among the identified bodies, 12 have been handed over to the respective families.

Ahmedabad crash: 31 victims identified by DNA test, 12 bodies handed over to families | All updates

After days of unbearable heat, Delhi finally received a much-needed breather as pre-monsoon showers swept across the capital and surrounding NCR regions. The city, which had been reeling under a heatwave with temperatures soaring past 45°C, experienced rainfall accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms, offering significant relief to residents.&nbsp;The IMD has predicted that this spell of pre-monsoon activity will continue intermittently over the next few days, with further thunderstorms, light to moderate rain, and strong surface winds expected. The much-awaited southwest monsoon is likely to reach Delhi between June 19 and June 25, slightly ahead of its usual schedule.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds lashed the national capital last night, bringing respite from the heat (Source: ANI) <a href="https://t.co/5qBXA5RE9p">pic.twitter.com/5qBXA5RE9p</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1934096028564963578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

According to the IMD, a “moderate to intense spell of rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning, and squally winds reaching speeds of 80-100 kmph” passed through Delhi in the early hours.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the weather department also urged residents to take precautions. "Stay indoors and avoid travel unless necessary," the IMD advisory said, as flying debris and low visibility posed risks on the roads.&nbsp;Earlier, the IMD has issued a red alert, warning residents of severe health risks and advising caution for outdoor activities.<h2>What is a heat wave?</h2>A heat wave is defined as a long period of excessively hot weather, usually accompanied by humidity. Heat waves can pose health risks, and put a strain on infrastructure, particularly due to high electricity consumption for cooling. Heat waves are declared when temperatures exceed the average for a specific region.Geologically, heat waves are caused by a combination of intense sunlight, high-pressure systems that trap warm air and lead to hot winds, reduced cloud cover, and lack of cooling breezes. Heat waves typically last for days, but can extend to weeks. Heatstroke, dehydration are among health risks associated with heat waves, which are typically accompanied by power outages due to a rise in cooling demand.

After weeks of unbearable heat, Delhi dances in rain; IMD predicts monsoon between June 19–25

After days of unbearable heat, Delhi finally received a much-needed breather as pre-monsoon showers swept across the capital and surrounding NCR regions. The city, which had been reeling under a heatwave with temperatures soaring past 45°C, experienced rainfall accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms, offering significant relief to residents. The IMD has predicted that this spell of pre-monsoon activity will continue intermittently over the next few days, with further thunderstorms, light to moderate rain, and strong surface winds expected. The much-awaited southwest monsoon is likely to reach Delhi between June 19 and June 25, slightly ahead of its usual schedule.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a severe thunderstorm alert for the capital as wind speeds surged to 104 kmph at Safdarjung during two brief thundersqualls around 4am.

A helicopter crashed in Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand on Sunday morning (June 15).&nbsp;&nbsp;The accident took place near Trijuginarayan Narayan in Gaurikund area. The helicopter belonged to Aryan Company and was going from Kedarnath Dham to Phata. All the 7 people on board, have been killed in the accident. The accident reportedly happened due to bad weather.&nbsp;&nbsp;Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in a post on X said, "Very sad news has been received about a helicopter crash in Rudraprayag district. SDRF, local administration and other rescue teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I pray to Baba Kedar for the safety of all the travellers."&nbsp;Meanwhile, &nbsp;Uttarakhand ADG Law and Order, Dr V Murugeshan said, “The helicopter that went missing in Gaurikund has crashed. There were six people on board the crashed helicopter. More details awaited.”&nbsp;This is the fifth accident since the portals of the Himalayan temple Kedarnath opened on May 2. Earlier, on June 7, a helicopter on its way to Kedarnath was forced to land on a highway in Uttarakhand after developing a technical snag during take-off. It came dangerously close to buildings, and its tail rotor fell on a parked car. The five pilgrims on board came out safely, while the pilot sustained minor injuries.&nbsp;Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has called for a high-level meeting. Chief secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation secretary, disaster secretary, UCADA officials, DGCA officials, DG information are all part of the meeting and are connected through video conferencing.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rescue teams were immediately dispatched under the direction of SDRF Commander Arpan Yadav. The incident spot was located in a very inaccessible and dense forest area, where a fast-paced and coordinated rescue operation was carried out by the joint teams of SDRF, NDRF, and local police.

All 7 killed in Kedarnath helicopter crash, Centre calls high-level meeting

A helicopter crashed in Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand on Sunday morning (June 15). The accident took place near Trijuginarayan Narayan in Gaurikund area. The helicopter belonged to Aryan Company and was going from Kedarnath Dham to Phata. All the 7 people on board, have been killed in the accident. The accident reportedly happened due to bad weather. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in a post on X said, "Very sad news has been received about a helicopter crash in Rudraprayag district. SDRF, local administration and other rescue teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I pray to Baba Kedar for the safety of all the travellers." Meanwhile, Uttarakhand ADG Law and Order, Dr V Murugeshan said, “The helicopter that went missing in Gaurikund has crashed. There were six people on board the crashed helicopter. More details awaited.” This is the fifth accident since the portals of the Himalayan temple Kedarnath opened on May 2. Earlier, on June 7, a helicopter on its way to Kedarnath was forced to land on a highway in Uttarakhand after developing a technical snag during take-off. It came dangerously close to buildings, and its tail rotor fell on a parked car. The five pilgrims on board came out safely, while the pilot sustained minor injuries. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has called for a high-level meeting. Chief secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation secretary, disaster secretary, UCADA officials, DGCA officials, DG information are all part of the meeting and are connected through video conferencing. Rescue teams were immediately dispatched under the direction of SDRF Commander Arpan Yadav. The incident spot was located in a very inaccessible and dense forest area, where a fast-paced and coordinated rescue operation was carried out by the joint teams of SDRF, NDRF, and local police.

The accident reportedly happened due to bad weather

All 7 killed in Kedarnath helicopter crash, CM Dhami calls high-level meeting

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to visit China later this month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO's defence ministers' meeting. The meeting is happening in Qingdao, a major coastal city in eastern Shandong Province, China.&nbsp;China is the host of the grouping for this year, and will be also hosting the foreign ministers' meeting and the summit in next few months. SCO is a major grouping of 10 countries—China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus—that focuses on issues like counter-terror, connectivity etc.&nbsp;Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun last met in Vientiane, Laos on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). This was their first meeting since the India-China agreement in October 2024 to resume patrolling and disengage troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, resolving the standoff that began with the 2020 Galwan clash.&nbsp;The expected visit of Indian Defence Minister to China will be the first ministerial visit from India to China since the October thaw in ties.Both sides, since the meeting between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in October 2024 on the sidelines of the Kazan BRICS summit in Russia have been working to normalise the ties. This includes resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, cooperation on sharing of river water data, resumption of direct air services and working on people ties, which includes taking practical steps for visa facilitation and exchanges between media and think-tanks.&nbsp;India has also extended its support to the Chinese presidency of the SCO, something that was restated during talks between Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign minister Sun Weidong last week in Delhi. The Chinese foreign ministry in a statement said, "the Indian side reaffirmed its support for China's Shanghai Cooperation Organization presidency."&nbsp;Several high level visits have also happened including the visit of Indian NSA Ajit Doval to China in December for the 23rd Special Representatives (SR) Meeting, and the Indian Foreign Secretary's visit to Beijing in January. &nbsp;It is expected that Chinese FM Wang Yi will visit India later this year for the 24th SR level talks.&nbsp;&nbsp;Chinese President Xi Jinping had also extended his condolences to Indian leadership in the aftermath of the tragic Ahmedabad&nbsp;plane&nbsp;crash.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun last met in Vientiane, Laos on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to visit China later this month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO's defence ministers' meeting. The meeting is happening in Qingdao, a major coastal city in eastern Shandong Province, China. China is the host of the grouping for this year, and will be also hosting the foreign ministers' meeting and the summit in next few months. SCO is a major grouping of 10 countries—China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus—that focuses on issues like counter-terror, connectivity etc. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun last met in Vientiane, Laos on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). This was their first meeting since the India-China agreement in October 2024 to resume patrolling and disengage troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, resolving the standoff that began with the 2020 Galwan clash. The expected visit of Indian Defence Minister to China will be the first ministerial visit from India to China since the October thaw in ties. Both sides, since the meeting between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in October 2024 on the sidelines of the Kazan BRICS summit in Russia have been working to normalise the ties. This includes resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, cooperation on sharing of river water data, resumption of direct air services and working on people ties, which includes taking practical steps for visa facilitation and exchanges between media and think-tanks. India has also extended its support to the Chinese presidency of the SCO, something that was restated during talks between Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign minister Sun Weidong last week in Delhi. The Chinese foreign ministry in a statement said, "the Indian side reaffirmed its support for China's Shanghai Cooperation Organization presidency." Several high level visits have also happened including the visit of Indian NSA Ajit Doval to China in December for the 23rd Special Representatives (SR) Meeting, and the Indian Foreign Secretary's visit to Beijing in January. It is expected that Chinese FM Wang Yi will visit India later this year for the 24th SR level talks. Chinese President Xi Jinping had also extended his condolences to Indian leadership in the aftermath of the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun last met in Vientiane, Laos on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh likely to visit China this month

In a homecoming of sorts, Sri Lankan Army Chief Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo reviewed the pass out of Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun earlier today. The passing out parade saw commissioning of a new generation of officers including foreign cadets from Sri Lanka. Lieutenant General Rodrigo, who was on a 4 day India visit from 11th to 14th was commissioned from the prestigious Indian academy in December 1990 as part of the 87th Course. &nbsp;The two Sri Lankan officer cadets who were commissioned included RMNL Rathnayake, son of Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake. The total number of Sri Lankan Army officers commissioned from IMA now stands at 296 and shows India's continued role in shaping the leadership of friendly foreign forces. &nbsp;During his address to the cadets, he reflected on his own journey and he reminded the cadets that commissioning into the armed forces is not just about earning a rank, but embracing a lifelong way of service, responsibility, and leadership. Emphasising that respect is earned through daily conduct, he invoked the IMA Credo - duty to Nation, Soldiers, and Families of bravehearts - and highlighted the enduring values of discipline, integrity, loyalty, and honour. &nbsp;During his visit, Lieutenant General Rodrigo held detailed discussions with senior leadership of the Indian Army, including Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani and GOC-in-C, South Western Command, Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh focusing on enhancing professional military cooperation, joint training, and regional security frameworks. &nbsp;India, Sri Lanka have a long-standing defence cooperation. Both countries conduct bilateral exercise "Mitra Shakti", the flagship Army-level counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism training initiative between the two nations. At any given time, approximately 700 Sri Lankan Army personnel are undergoing training at various Indian Army establishments, making Sri Lanka Army the largest foreign participant in Indian military training programmes. &nbsp;These include prestigious institutions such as the Defence Services Staff College, Infantry School, Counterinsurgency and Jungle Warfare School, Army Air Defence College, School of Artillery, Armoured Corps Centre and School, Mechanised Infantry Centre and School; and the Indian Military Academy itself. &nbsp;India is a major provider of defence training to officers from Indian Ocean littoral states-Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles. IMA and other premier defence institutions regularly host foreign "gentleman cadets" from Asian and African countries, helping to shape their future military leadership. Historically, India has institutionalised its military engagements with Indian Ocean neighbours through structured dialogues, training and defence cooperation&nbsp;pacts.

In a homecoming of sorts, Sri Lankan Army Chief Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo reviewed the pass out of Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun earlier today

In a homecoming of sorts, Sri Lankan Army Chief Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo reviewed the pass out of Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun earlier today. The passing out parade saw commissioning of a new generation of officers including foreign cadets from Sri Lanka. Lieutenant General Rodrigo, who was on a 4 day India visit from 11th to 14th was commissioned from the prestigious Indian academy in December 1990 as part of the 87th Course. The two Sri Lankan officer cadets who were commissioned included RMNL Rathnayake, son of Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake. The total number of Sri Lankan Army officers commissioned from IMA now stands at 296 and shows India's continued role in shaping the leadership of friendly foreign forces. During his address to the cadets, he reflected on his own journey and he reminded the cadets that commissioning into the armed forces is not just about earning a rank, but embracing a lifelong way of service, responsibility, and leadership. Emphasising that respect is earned through daily conduct, he invoked the IMA Credo - duty to Nation, Soldiers, and Families of bravehearts - and highlighted the enduring values of discipline, integrity, loyalty, and honour. During his visit, Lieutenant General Rodrigo held detailed discussions with senior leadership of the Indian Army, including Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani and GOC-in-C, South Western Command, Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh focusing on enhancing professional military cooperation, joint training, and regional security frameworks. India, Sri Lanka have a long-standing defence cooperation. Both countries conduct bilateral exercise "Mitra Shakti", the flagship Army-level counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism training initiative between the two nations. At any given time, approximately 700 Sri Lankan Army personnel are undergoing training at various Indian Army establishments, making Sri Lanka Army the largest foreign participant in Indian military training programmes. These include prestigious institutions such as the Defence Services Staff College, Infantry School, Counterinsurgency and Jungle Warfare School, Army Air Defence College, School of Artillery, Armoured Corps Centre and School, Mechanised Infantry Centre and School; and the Indian Military Academy itself. India is a major provider of defence training to officers from Indian Ocean littoral states-Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles. IMA and other premier defence institutions regularly host foreign "gentleman cadets" from Asian and African countries, helping to shape their future military leadership. Historically, India has institutionalised its military engagements with Indian Ocean neighbours through structured dialogues, training and defence cooperation pacts.

In a homecoming of sorts, Sri Lankan Army Chief Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo reviewed the pass out of Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun earlier today

Sri Lankan Army Chief Lasantha Rodrigo Revisits IMA Roots

Ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Cyprus starting Sunday, Cyprus High Commissioner Evagoras Vryonides has said that his country wants to be more "involved" in the India Middle East Europe Corridor (IMEEC).&nbsp;&nbsp;The corridor announced in Delhi during the G20 Summit in 2023 aims to connect India and Europe through the Arabian peninsula via series of railway, maritime and energy projects.&nbsp;The High Commissioner said, "geographically speaking we are the first entry point into the European Union. The India Middle East Europe corridor comes to mind. We have good relations with Israel, Israel is part of the equation.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cyprus, finds itself naturally in the way of IMEEC". The corridor aims to reduce the logistics cost by up to 30% and transit time by 40% as compared to the Suez Canal route and is expected to help in transcontinental integration.&nbsp;Pointing to his country's interests, HC Vryonides explained that, "we are very much interested in IMEEC, although not the original signatory...We can participate via the European Union, but looking forward to more involvement... Indian IT companies, shipping companies can have a base in Cyprus. So many areas to explore through the IMEEC".&nbsp;It is after a gap of over 2 decades that an Indian Prime Minister is visiting Cyprus, the last being PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002.While in Nicosia, PM Modi will hold talks with President Christodoulides and address business leaders in Limassol.&nbsp;&nbsp;"We have a very strong bilateral relationship between Cyprus and India. Very happy PM Modi found time to visit Cyprus, on way to Canada. We consider this very important visit for us, at the bilateral level", Vryonides said.&nbsp;Key areas of talks in Nicosia will include trade, connectivity, education, migration and mobility. Both sides have already been in touch on the issue of Defence, with an MoU being signed a few years ago. Cyprus is keen to establish itself as a center for destination wedding, film making for Indians.&nbsp; "We are looking forward to projects of connectivity to be discussed. The issue of direct air link between India and Cyprus, so much to be done in the meetings even though it's a short meeting, will try to make best out of it", Vryonides said. The visit comes even as India has upped its engagement with countries of the Mediterranean, especially with the opening up of an Indian consulate in Marseille, France.

Want to be more involved in India Middle East Europe corridor, says Cyprus Envoy Vryonides

Ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Cyprus starting Sunday, Cyprus High Commissioner Evagoras Vryonides has said that his country wants to be more "involved" in the India Middle East Europe Corridor (IMEEC). The corridor announced in Delhi during the G20 Summit in 2023 aims to connect India and Europe through the Arabian peninsula via series of railway, maritime and energy projects. The High Commissioner said, "geographically speaking we are the first entry point into the European Union. The India Middle East Europe corridor comes to mind. We have good relations with Israel, Israel is part of the equation. Cyprus, finds itself naturally in the way of IMEEC". The corridor aims to reduce the logistics cost by up to 30% and transit time by 40% as compared to the Suez Canal route and is expected to help in transcontinental integration. Pointing to his country's interests, HC Vryonides explained that, "we are very much interested in IMEEC, although not the original signatory...We can participate via the European Union, but looking forward to more involvement... Indian IT companies, shipping companies can have a base in Cyprus. So many areas to explore through the IMEEC". It is after a gap of over 2 decades that an Indian Prime Minister is visiting Cyprus, the last being PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002.While in Nicosia, PM Modi will hold talks with President Christodoulides and address business leaders in Limassol. "We have a very strong bilateral relationship between Cyprus and India. Very happy PM Modi found time to visit Cyprus, on way to Canada. We consider this very important visit for us, at the bilateral level", Vryonides said. Key areas of talks in Nicosia will include trade, connectivity, education, migration and mobility. Both sides have already been in touch on the issue of Defence, with an MoU being signed a few years ago. Cyprus is keen to establish itself as a center for destination wedding, film making for Indians. "We are looking forward to projects of connectivity to be discussed. The issue of direct air link between India and Cyprus, so much to be done in the meetings even though it's a short meeting, will try to make best out of it", Vryonides said. The visit comes even as India has upped its engagement with countries of the Mediterranean, especially with the opening up of an Indian consulate in Marseille, France.

The corridor announced in Delhi during the G20 Summit in 2023 aims to connect India and Europe through the Arabian peninsula via series of railway, maritime and energy projects

Want to be more involved in India Middle East Europe corridor, says Cyprus envoy Evagoras Vryonides

India on Saturday (Jun 14) said that it did not participate in the discussions of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) over Israel and Iran and clarified its position on the matter. The SCO issued a statement condemning recent Israeli strikes on Iran. India chose to not take any sides &nbsp;and emphasized that global platforms must work towards destabilisation of issues.<h2>MEA issues statement</h2>The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India is of the view that channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be used for de-escalation, and international community should work towards it.&nbsp;It said that Indian Foreign minister spoke with the Iranian counterpart a day ago and conveyed "deep concern". He also urged the avoidance of any escalatory steps and an early return to diplomacy, the MEA said.&nbsp;The MEA said, “The overall position of India as stated above was communicated to other SCO members. Keeping that in mind, India did not participate in the discussions.”<h2>What was the SCO statement?</h2>Expressing "serious concerns" over the escalating tensions in in West Asia, the SCO in a statement "strongly condemn the military strikes carried out by Israel on Iran."&nbsp;"Such aggressive actions against civilian targets, including energy and transport infrastructure, which have resulted in civilian casualties, are a gross violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. They constitute an infringement on Iran’s sovereignty, cause damage to regional and international security, and pose serious risks to global peace and stability," the SCO statement added.&nbsp;It called for peaceful, political, and diplomatic resolution of the situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. It also extended condolences to the people and government of Iran over the loss of lives in Israeli srikes.

India distanced itself from the statement of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) that condemned Israeli strikes on Iran

India on Saturday (Jun 14) said that it did not participate in the discussions of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) over Israel and Iran and clarified its position on the matter. The SCO issued a statement condemning recent Israeli strikes on Iran. India chose to not take any sides and emphasized that global platforms must work towards destabilisation of issues. MEA issues statement The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India is of the view that channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be used for de-escalation, and international community should work towards it. It said that Indian Foreign minister spoke with the Iranian counterpart a day ago and conveyed "deep concern". He also urged the avoidance of any escalatory steps and an early return to diplomacy, the MEA said. The MEA said, “The overall position of India as stated above was communicated to other SCO members. Keeping that in mind, India did not participate in the discussions.” What was the SCO statement? Expressing "serious concerns" over the escalating tensions in in West Asia, the SCO in a statement "strongly condemn the military strikes carried out by Israel on Iran." "Such aggressive actions against civilian targets, including energy and transport infrastructure, which have resulted in civilian casualties, are a gross violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. They constitute an infringement on Iran’s sovereignty, cause damage to regional and international security, and pose serious risks to global peace and stability," the SCO statement added. It called for peaceful, political, and diplomatic resolution of the situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. It also extended condolences to the people and government of Iran over the loss of lives in Israeli srikes.

India distanced itself from the statement of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) that condemned Israeli strikes on Iran

India distances itself from SCO statement that condemned Israeli strikes on Iran, MEA explains why

The Indian Civil Aviation Ministry briefed the media on the passenger aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday (June 12). The Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu expressed his grief on the incident.&nbsp;"I also lost my father in a road accident. So I can understand the pain of family members to a certain level," he said.&nbsp;"I personally rushed to the site to oversee what support needed to be provided. And that was the attitude of the Government of Gujarat and the Government of India," he said.&nbsp;The ministry said that it was informed of the incident by the Ahmedabad ATC.&nbsp;&nbsp;Naidu said that all Boeing 787 aircraft were to be inspected. He said that 8 of them have already been inspected.&nbsp;"The aviation ministry is taking utmost seriousness of the incident. AAIB was rushed to the site to investigate. AAIB added two new members yesterday - Forensics &amp; Medical. Around 5 PM yesterday, the black box of the aircraft was recovered from the debris of the aircraft," Naidu said.&nbsp;“The team believes that the decoding of the black box is going to give an in-depth insight into what happened during the time of the crash,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;"AAIB team believes the decoding of the black box is going to give an in-depth insight into what happened," he added.&nbsp;"It would be much better to have another committee overlooking this crash and safety. Yesterday, we constituted the committee under the chairmanship of the Home Secretary," Naidu added.&nbsp;He said that the rescue operation is still on and bodies are being removed from trhe debris.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Once I arrived, the Govt of Gujarat had already put in the necessary rescue teams working on ground trying to rescue whatever is possible, cut down the fire, move the debris so bodies can be sent to the hospital at the earliest,” Naidu said in the briefing.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Indian Civil Aviation Ministry holds press briefing on Ahmedabad crash

The Indian Civil Aviation Ministry briefed the media on the passenger aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday (June 12). The Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu expressed his grief on the incident. "I also lost my father in a road accident. So I can understand the pain of family members to a certain level," he said. "I personally rushed to the site to oversee what support needed to be provided. And that was the attitude of the Government of Gujarat and the Government of India," he said. The ministry said that it was informed of the incident by the Ahmedabad ATC. Naidu said that all Boeing 787 aircraft were to be inspected. He said that 8 of them have already been inspected. "The aviation ministry is taking utmost seriousness of the incident. AAIB was rushed to the site to investigate. AAIB added two new members yesterday - Forensics & Medical. Around 5 PM yesterday, the black box of the aircraft was recovered from the debris of the aircraft," Naidu said. “The team believes that the decoding of the black box is going to give an in-depth insight into what happened during the time of the crash,” he said. "AAIB team believes the decoding of the black box is going to give an in-depth insight into what happened," he added. "It would be much better to have another committee overlooking this crash and safety. Yesterday, we constituted the committee under the chairmanship of the Home Secretary," Naidu added. He said that the rescue operation is still on and bodies are being removed from trhe debris. “Once I arrived, the Govt of Gujarat had already put in the necessary rescue teams working on ground trying to rescue whatever is possible, cut down the fire, move the debris so bodies can be sent to the hospital at the earliest,” Naidu said in the briefing.

The Indian Civil Aviation Ministry briefed the media on the passenger aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday (June 12). The Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu expressed his grief on the incident.&nbsp;

All Boeing 787 aircraft to be inspected; 8 have already been done: Aviation Ministry after Ahmedabad crash

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a significant three-nation tour to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia from June 15 to 19, underscoring India’s growing global engagement and strategic outreach.&nbsp;&nbsp;Post Operation Sindoor, this will be PM Modi's first foreign visit. The tour begins with a landmark visit to Cyprus, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over two decades, followed by his participation in the G-7 Summit in Canada. The visit will conclude with a historic first-ever trip to Croatia.&nbsp;“At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to Cyprus on 15-16 June, 2025. This will be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades. While in Nicosia, Prime Minister will hold talks with President Christodoulides and address business leaders in Limassol. The visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen India’s engagement with the Mediterranean region and the European Union,” the ministry of external affairs said in a statement on Saturday (June 14).<h2>Sixth consecutive G-7 participation</h2>In the second leg of his tour, PM Modi will visit Kananaskis, Canada, on June 16–17 at the invitation of his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney, to participate in the G-7 Summit. This will mark his sixth consecutive appearance at the G-7 Summit.&nbsp;&nbsp;“At the Summit, Prime Minister will exchange views with leaders of G-7 countries, other invited outreach countries and Heads of International Organisations on crucial global issues, including energy security, technology and innovation, particularly the AI-energy nexus and Quantum-related issues. Prime Minister will also hold several bilateral meetings on the side-lines of the Summit,” the ministry of external affairs added.<h2>First official visit to Croatia</h2>In the final leg of his tour, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, PM Modi will undertake an official visit to Croatia on June 18, which will be the first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, marking an important milestone in the bilateral relationship.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Prime Minister will hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Plenkovic and meet the President of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic. The visit to Croatia will also underscore India's commitment to further strengthening its engagement with partners in the European Union,” the ministry of external affairs said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a three-nation official visit to Cyprus Canada and Croatia from June 15 to 19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a significant three-nation tour to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia from June 15 to 19, underscoring India’s growing global engagement and strategic outreach. Post Operation Sindoor, this will be PM Modi's first foreign visit. The tour begins with a landmark visit to Cyprus, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over two decades, followed by his participation in the G-7 Summit in Canada. The visit will conclude with a historic first-ever trip to Croatia. “At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to Cyprus on 15-16 June, 2025. This will be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades. While in Nicosia, Prime Minister will hold talks with President Christodoulides and address business leaders in Limassol. The visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen India’s engagement with the Mediterranean region and the European Union,” the ministry of external affairs said in a statement on Saturday (June 14). Sixth consecutive G-7 participation In the second leg of his tour, PM Modi will visit Kananaskis, Canada, on June 16–17 at the invitation of his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney, to participate in the G-7 Summit. This will mark his sixth consecutive appearance at the G-7 Summit. “At the Summit, Prime Minister will exchange views with leaders of G-7 countries, other invited outreach countries and Heads of International Organisations on crucial global issues, including energy security, technology and innovation, particularly the AI-energy nexus and Quantum-related issues. Prime Minister will also hold several bilateral meetings on the side-lines of the Summit,” the ministry of external affairs added. First official visit to Croatia In the final leg of his tour, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, PM Modi will undertake an official visit to Croatia on June 18, which will be the first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, marking an important milestone in the bilateral relationship. “Prime Minister will hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Plenkovic and meet the President of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic. The visit to Croatia will also underscore India's commitment to further strengthening its engagement with partners in the European Union,” the ministry of external affairs said.

PM Modi will embark on a three-nation official visit to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia from June 15 to 19

In first foreign visit post Operation Sindoor, PM Modi to visit Canada, Croatia, Cyprus starting June 15

If all goes well, the American Axiom-4 astronaut mission will liftoff of June 19th, Thursday, which is 20 days after the original launch date of 29th May. Over the last two weeks, the mission has faced multiple delays owing to - replacement of parts on the Crew Dragon Spacecraft, technical issues with a Falcon 9 rocket engine, unfavourable weather, a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 rocket, and an anomaly in the Russian Zvezda module on the International Space Station. Indian Air Force test pilot and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will be the second-in-command of this mission.&nbsp;Announcing the new targeted launch date, the Indian Space agency ISRO said that the liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 rocket has been successfully resolved. ISRO says this based on the outcome of a meeting between ISRO, Axiom Space, and SpaceX. "Axiom Space informed that they are working closely with NASA to assess the pressure anomaly in the Russian Zvezda Service Module onboard the International Space Station," read the statement from ISRO.&nbsp;Opportunities for launch till June 30th or from mid-July&nbsp;"In terms of launch opportunities, we have opportunities all the way to June 30th," said Dana Weigel, Manager, International Space Station Programme, NASA. Typically, every rocket launch mission has a launch window/launch opportunity- an ideal period of a few days or weeks within which the launch can take place. On each of these specific days within the launch window, there are a few minutes when the rocket can blastoff to space. All of these launch times are precisely planned down to the second, based on various technical parameters. Which is why many rocket launch missions happen at odd hours, and no two missions(even of the same type) follow the same launch time or schedule.&nbsp;In case SpaceX and Axiom Space are unable to launch in the month of June, there are opportunities in July as well, Weigel had said. "Russians have a Progress cargo vehicle undocking from the International Space Station and new one docking, so we have a brief cut out for that.&nbsp;And then, a brief cut out for high solar beta. And then we have launch opportunities in the second week of July/middle of July. Plenty of opportunities to fly the vehicle," she had elaborated.Predominantly, only America and Russia launch crafts to the International Space Station.&nbsp;Therefore, the two have to plan their traffic accordingly and coordinate the arrivals and departures with regards the Space Station. This is why Dana mentioned of a break in the month of July.&nbsp;Further, while launching astronaut-carrying spacecrafts to the Space Station, a technical parameter called Solar Beta needs to be factored in- it determines how much during each orbit the spacecraft is exposed to sunlight or Earth's shadow. This affects the heating or cooling of the spacecraft, ability of solar panels to generate power. For example, while circling the earth, when a spacecraft is exposed to a lot of sunlight, it could suffer overheating issues. Therefore the next window for the Axiom-4 launch is in Mid-July.&nbsp;About Axiom-4 Human spaceflight mission&nbsp;Axiom-4 will carry a crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station, where they would stay for two weeks and perform 60 experiments. The astronauts would be flying on the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket and the Crew Dragon capsule. Peggy Whitson, veteran NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the Axiom-4 mission, while ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot or second-in-command. The two mission specialists are ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.&nbsp;This mission will facilitate the return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, given that each nation’s first and only government-sponsored spaceflight had taken place more than 40 years ago. The Ax-4 crew members will represent their nations in Low Earth Orbit and perform scientific experiments and demonstrations that are of high national importance.&nbsp;Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be the first Indian to fly to the International Space Station, and the second Indian to fly to space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew on a Soviet Mission in 1984. The Indian Government has paid almost $64mn(Rs.550cr) for Shukla's training and spaceflight as part of Axiom-4. As he circles the earth, Shukla will also be performing experiments in STEM(Science, Tech, Engineering, Math), and these will be made available as recorded educational videos, as part of the Axiom-4 mission outreach activity.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Announcing the new targeted launch date, the Indian Space agency ISRO said that the liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 rocket has been successfully resolved.

If all goes well, the American Axiom-4 astronaut mission will liftoff of June 19th, Thursday, which is 20 days after the original launch date of 29th May. Over the last two weeks, the mission has faced multiple delays owing to - replacement of parts on the Crew Dragon Spacecraft, technical issues with a Falcon 9 rocket engine, unfavourable weather, a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 rocket, and an anomaly in the Russian Zvezda module on the International Space Station. Indian Air Force test pilot and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will be the second-in-command of this mission. Announcing the new targeted launch date, the Indian Space agency ISRO said that the liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 rocket has been successfully resolved. ISRO says this based on the outcome of a meeting between ISRO, Axiom Space, and SpaceX. "Axiom Space informed that they are working closely with NASA to assess the pressure anomaly in the Russian Zvezda Service Module onboard the International Space Station," read the statement from ISRO. Opportunities for launch till June 30th or from mid-July "In terms of launch opportunities, we have opportunities all the way to June 30th," said Dana Weigel, Manager, International Space Station Programme, NASA. Typically, every rocket launch mission has a launch window/launch opportunity- an ideal period of a few days or weeks within which the launch can take place. On each of these specific days within the launch window, there are a few minutes when the rocket can blastoff to space. All of these launch times are precisely planned down to the second, based on various technical parameters. Which is why many rocket launch missions happen at odd hours, and no two missions(even of the same type) follow the same launch time or schedule. In case SpaceX and Axiom Space are unable to launch in the month of June, there are opportunities in July as well, Weigel had said. "Russians have a Progress cargo vehicle undocking from the International Space Station and new one docking, so we have a brief cut out for that. And then, a brief cut out for high solar beta. And then we have launch opportunities in the second week of July/middle of July. Plenty of opportunities to fly the vehicle," she had elaborated. Predominantly, only America and Russia launch crafts to the International Space Station. Therefore, the two have to plan their traffic accordingly and coordinate the arrivals and departures with regards the Space Station. This is why Dana mentioned of a break in the month of July. Further, while launching astronaut-carrying spacecrafts to the Space Station, a technical parameter called Solar Beta needs to be factored in- it determines how much during each orbit the spacecraft is exposed to sunlight or Earth's shadow. This affects the heating or cooling of the spacecraft, ability of solar panels to generate power. For example, while circling the earth, when a spacecraft is exposed to a lot of sunlight, it could suffer overheating issues. Therefore the next window for the Axiom-4 launch is in Mid-July. About Axiom-4 Human spaceflight mission Axiom-4 will carry a crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station, where they would stay for two weeks and perform 60 experiments. The astronauts would be flying on the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket and the Crew Dragon capsule. Peggy Whitson, veteran NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the Axiom-4 mission, while ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot or second-in-command. The two mission specialists are ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. This mission will facilitate the return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, given that each nation’s first and only government-sponsored spaceflight had taken place more than 40 years ago. The Ax-4 crew members will represent their nations in Low Earth Orbit and perform scientific experiments and demonstrations that are of high national importance. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be the first Indian to fly to the International Space Station, and the second Indian to fly to space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew on a Soviet Mission in 1984. The Indian Government has paid almost $64mn(Rs.550cr) for Shukla's training and spaceflight as part of Axiom-4. As he circles the earth, Shukla will also be performing experiments in STEM(Science, Tech, Engineering, Math), and these will be made available as recorded educational videos, as part of the Axiom-4 mission outreach activity.

Announcing the new targeted launch date, the Indian Space agency ISRO said that the liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 rocket has been successfully resolved.

Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 spaceflight to launch on June19

A nearly untouched copy of the Bhagavad Gita was found in the wreckage of the Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad. The incident which occurred on Thursday, shortly after the plane took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, has claimed the lives of at least 265 individuals, including 241 passengers and crew members, and other &nbsp;people on ground.&nbsp;The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route to London Gatwick when it crashed into a hostel building near Ahmedabad's BJ Medical College. The impact and the subsequent fire destroyed most of the aircraft and the air was engulfed by a thick dark smoke cloud.&nbsp;However, &nbsp;even though the fire was highly intense, a copy of the Bhagavad Gita was recovered from the wreckage with all of its internal pages almost intact. While the outer cover of the book bore signs of heat exposure, the text inside was undamaged, with even the pictures visible. A video shared on social media shows a man flipping through the untouched pages of the holy book. The video has since then, gone viral, drawing widespread public interest.&nbsp;Air India reported that the passengers who died included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizen, one Canadian, and 12 crew members. Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The only known survivor of the tragedy is a passenger identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who escaped with minor injuries. He was seated in seat 11A. The recovery of the Gita has been noted as a striking detail amid ongoing investigations. While some see it as symbolic, officials have made no religious interpretation. The black box has been located from the site, and efforts are ongoing to analyse data that could help determine the cause of the crash.&nbsp;The discovery of the Bhagavad Gita has become a widely discussed aspect of the tragedy, standing out amid a scene otherwise marked by destruction and loss. It has sparked a debate online with many viewing it as a ‘powerful symbol of spiritual resilience’ while others questioning the existence of god.&nbsp; &nbsp;

A nearly untouched copy of the Bhagavad Gita has been found in the wreckage of the Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad. 

A nearly untouched copy of the Bhagavad Gita was found in the wreckage of the Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad. The incident which occurred on Thursday, shortly after the plane took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, has claimed the lives of at least 265 individuals, including 241 passengers and crew members, and other people on ground. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route to London Gatwick when it crashed into a hostel building near Ahmedabad's BJ Medical College. The impact and the subsequent fire destroyed most of the aircraft and the air was engulfed by a thick dark smoke cloud. However, even though the fire was highly intense, a copy of the Bhagavad Gita was recovered from the wreckage with all of its internal pages almost intact. While the outer cover of the book bore signs of heat exposure, the text inside was undamaged, with even the pictures visible. A video shared on social media shows a man flipping through the untouched pages of the holy book. The video has since then, gone viral, drawing widespread public interest. Air India reported that the passengers who died included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizen, one Canadian, and 12 crew members. Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The only known survivor of the tragedy is a passenger identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who escaped with minor injuries. He was seated in seat 11A. The recovery of the Gita has been noted as a striking detail amid ongoing investigations. While some see it as symbolic, officials have made no religious interpretation. The black box has been located from the site, and efforts are ongoing to analyse data that could help determine the cause of the crash. The discovery of the Bhagavad Gita has become a widely discussed aspect of the tragedy, standing out amid a scene otherwise marked by destruction and loss. It has sparked a debate online with many viewing it as a ‘powerful symbol of spiritual resilience’ while others questioning the existence of god.

A nearly untouched copy of the Bhagavad Gita has been found in the wreckage of the Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad.&nbsp;

Ahmedabad plane crash: Unburned copy of Bhagavad Gita found in wreckage of Air India AI-171

An Air India aircraft with 242 people onboard crashed in the Indian state of Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Thursday (June 12).&nbsp;According to latest reports, at least 274 people have lost their lives in one of the most devastating aviation disasters in India. The fatalities include passengers, crew members aboard the flight AI 171, and several individuals on the ground.<h2>Dozens injured, medical professionals killed</h2>A part of the plane fell on top of the dining area of BJ Medical College, killing at least five medical students and injuring nearly 50.&nbsp;According to Divyansh Singh, vice president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, a national body that represents resident doctors across the country. He said, “Some of the injured are critical. We are in close contact with our peers in the hospital who are on a lookout for more people feared buried in the debris.”<h2>Committee formed</h2>In the aftermath of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash that took hundreds of lives, the ministry of civil aviation has announced the formation of a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disaster.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a statement on X, the Ministry of Civil Aviation wrote, “A High Level Multi-Disciplinary Committee is constituted for examining the causes leading to the crash of the Air India Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport (London) on June 12, 2025. The Committee will examine the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines issued to prevent and handle such occurrences and suggest comprehensive guidelines for dealing with such instances in the future.”&nbsp;“The Committee will not be a substitute to other enquiries being conducted by relevant organisations but will focus on formulating SOPs for preventing and handling such occurrences in the future," it added.&nbsp;In its order, the ministry of civil aviation said that the committee will publish its report within three months. The committee will have access to all records, including, among others, flight data, cockpit voice recorders, aircraft maintenance records, ATC Log and witness testimonies; conduct site inspections; interview crew, air traffic controllers and relevant personnel; collaborate with international agencies if foreign nationals or aircraft manufacturers are involved. &nbsp;The aircraft, carrying 242 people — 230 passengers, two pilots, and 10 cabin crew, crashed into a medical college just seconds after departing from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick Airport on June 12 (Thursday).&nbsp;&nbsp;Only one person, a British national of Indian origin, survived the accident. Among those killed was former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani.

At least 274 people lost their lives in one of the most devastating aviation disasters in India, involving an Air India flight bound for London that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, according to sources on Saturday.

An Air India aircraft with 242 people onboard crashed in the Indian state of Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Thursday (June 12). According to latest reports, at least 274 people have lost their lives in one of the most devastating aviation disasters in India. The fatalities include passengers, crew members aboard the flight AI 171, and several individuals on the ground. Dozens injured, medical professionals killed A part of the plane fell on top of the dining area of BJ Medical College, killing at least five medical students and injuring nearly 50. According to Divyansh Singh, vice president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, a national body that represents resident doctors across the country. He said, “Some of the injured are critical. We are in close contact with our peers in the hospital who are on a lookout for more people feared buried in the debris.” Committee formed In the aftermath of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash that took hundreds of lives, the ministry of civil aviation has announced the formation of a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disaster. In a statement on X, the Ministry of Civil Aviation wrote, “A High Level Multi-Disciplinary Committee is constituted for examining the causes leading to the crash of the Air India Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport (London) on June 12, 2025. The Committee will examine the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines issued to prevent and handle such occurrences and suggest comprehensive guidelines for dealing with such instances in the future.” “The Committee will not be a substitute to other enquiries being conducted by relevant organisations but will focus on formulating SOPs for preventing and handling such occurrences in the future," it added. In its order, the ministry of civil aviation said that the committee will publish its report within three months. The committee will have access to all records, including, among others, flight data, cockpit voice recorders, aircraft maintenance records, ATC Log and witness testimonies; conduct site inspections; interview crew, air traffic controllers and relevant personnel; collaborate with international agencies if foreign nationals or aircraft manufacturers are involved. The aircraft, carrying 242 people — 230 passengers, two pilots, and 10 cabin crew, crashed into a medical college just seconds after departing from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick Airport on June 12 (Thursday). Only one person, a British national of Indian origin, survived the accident. Among those killed was former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani.

The plane, en route to London, had taken off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.38 pm IST

Ahmedabad plane crash: Death toll rises to 274; government forms high-level probe committee

It was meant to be a routine flight. Instead, it became one of the most haunting tragedies in recent Indian aviation memory. Shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport, Air India flight AI171 plunged from the skies, leaving behind wreckage, grief—and a trail of unanswered questions.&nbsp;The pilot’s last words were stark and chilling: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.” That was all. No follow-up. No elaboration. Silence, then impact.&nbsp;As investigators sift through the data and debris, a broader aviation community is asking: What happened in those final seconds? Could the crash have been avoided? And what does it tell us about the pressure’s pilots face when machines malfunction and margins vanish?&nbsp;To make sense of the tragedy, WION spoke exclusively to former captain and training captain SK Pillai, with decades of experience in cockpit emergencies and pilot instruction. The former captain discusses and explains possible factors that can lead to disasters like these.&nbsp;His breakdown offers a window into a world where decisions are made faster than thought—and where a single misstep can turn an aircraft into a falling object.&nbsp;The final transmission: ‘Mayday’ and then nothing &nbsp;According to air traffic control logs, the pilot of the flight managed to transmit just one short distress call. It was formal and urgent: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”—the internationally recognised radio transmission for emergency situations.&nbsp;But what stood out to experts wasn’t just what was said—it was what wasn’t. “A Mayday call means the pilot is facing a life-threatening emergency,” says Pillai. “Normally, pilots follow this with details of their situation and intentions, but in this case, there was hardly any time.”&nbsp;The lack of a follow-up message strongly suggests the pilot was already overwhelmed—perhaps battling for control, diagnosing a problem, or trying to manage the plane’s trajectory in those final moments.&nbsp;“In an emergency, your first duty is to fly the airplane,” Pillai explains. “You have to get control of the aircraft, see where it’s &nbsp;going, and determine your desired trajectory. Communication comes later.”<h3>Aviation’s central mystery: Why didn’t the plane climb?</h3>The plane, according to radar data, reached just about 625 feet above the ground before beginning a fatal descent. This raises one of the most baffling questions in the investigation: Why couldn’t the aircraft climb?&nbsp;While structural failure or sabotage has not been ruled out, Pillai in his personal opinion feels there are possibilities of errors while loading data. “The probability of both engines failing simultaneously is one in many millions,” he says.&nbsp;He noted that video footage taken just before the crash showed no signs of smoke or fire, making a bird strike unlikely.<h3>The hidden threat: Incorrect take-off data</h3>Every pilot, before take-off, inputs crucial parameters into the flight management system—details like aircraft weight, runway condition, temperature, and wind speed. From this, the aircraft computes three critical speeds.&nbsp;If these calculations are wrong—especially weight—the result can be devastating. “If incorrect data is entered—for example, underestimating the aircraft’s weight—the computer may set insufficient thrust, leading to a sluggish take-off or inability to climb,” explains Pillai.&nbsp;He references the 2009 near-disaster of an Emirates flight 407, from Auckland to Dubai with a stopover in Melbourne.&nbsp;The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) led the investigation into the accident,&nbsp;focusing on three key questions: How the first officer came to enter an incorrect aircraft weight, why the error went undetected prior to take-off, and why the flight crew failed to notice the unusually slow acceleration until nearly the entire 3.6-kilometre (12,000-foot) runway had been used.&nbsp;“If the computer thinks the plane is lighter than it actually is, it won’t command enough power. You’ll lift off sluggishly, maybe not at all.”<h3>Human factors: When team dynamics go awry</h3>The cockpit is a place of hierarchy—but also of shared responsibility. A seasoned captain working with a less experienced first officer may create an imbalance that affects safety.&nbsp;“An experienced pilot can multitask and set a fast pace, but if the co-pilot is less experienced and fails to double-check, errors can creep in,” Pillai notes.&nbsp;In critical moments, a failure to cross-verify aircraft weight, flap settings can reduce acceleration and climb rate—eating into safety margins rapidly. Failure to cross check, can lead to an errors in calculating the take off run required and climb performance. &nbsp;“If the weight is incorrect, the plane may not accelerate or climb as expected, using up more runway and reducing safety margins,” he said.<h3>Landing gear, flaps—and the danger of mistakes</h3>Among the anomalies being examined is the suggestion that the landing gear was never retracted. Normally, gear-up selection happens shortly after take-off.&nbsp;“After reaching 35 to 50 feet, you select the landing gear up,” says Pillai. “If this isn’t done, it could be due to preoccupation with an emergency—or by mistake moving the flaps lever instead of the gear lever.”&nbsp;This isn’t just theoretical. He recounts a past tragedy caused by a similar mistake where the flap lever was moved instead of the gear lever, thereby reducing speed and increasing drag<h3>How simulators keep pilots prepared for the worst</h3>Modern commercial aviation is built on precision, preparedness, and constant practice—especially for those in the cockpit. Pillai says that no matter how experienced a pilot is, continuous training is non-negotiable.&nbsp;“Every pilot, right down to the time he retires—whether he’s a seasoned training captain with 30,000 hours or a newcomer with just 500—has to undergo mandatory simulator training every six months.”&nbsp;These aren't just routine refreshers. The simulator sessions replicate a wide range of&nbsp;emergency scenarios: engine failures, hydraulic losses, electrical faults, bird strikes, and even complex weather conditions.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Almost any emergency that you can think of—that can happen on an airplane—is simulated and practiced. Because in reality, many pilots may never experience a single major emergency in their entire career,” he explains.&nbsp;Despite that rarity, preparedness is key. That's why proficiency checks are held after every simulator session. Pilots must pass these checks to keep their licenses valid and remain eligible to fly.&nbsp;“It’s not optional. If a pilot doesn’t clear the check, they don’t go back to line flying,” the former captain stresses.&nbsp;Beyond simulator evaluations, pilots are subject to other regular in-flight assessments such as route checks. “Practically every three months, there’s some form of check or clearance. The system is designed to ensure pilots stay sharp—not just technically, but also in decision-making under pressure."

WION Exclusive | Was it a data error, miscommunication, or malfunction? Former pilot and training captain weighs in on possible reasons

It was meant to be a routine flight. Instead, it became one of the most haunting tragedies in recent Indian aviation memory. Shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport, Air India flight AI171 plunged from the skies, leaving behind wreckage, grief—and a trail of unanswered questions. The pilot’s last words were stark and chilling: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.” That was all. No follow-up. No elaboration. Silence, then impact. As investigators sift through the data and debris, a broader aviation community is asking: What happened in those final seconds? Could the crash have been avoided? And what does it tell us about the pressure’s pilots face when machines malfunction and margins vanish? To make sense of the tragedy, WION spoke exclusively to former captain and training captain SK Pillai, with decades of experience in cockpit emergencies and pilot instruction. The former captain discusses and explains possible factors that can lead to disasters like these. His breakdown offers a window into a world where decisions are made faster than thought—and where a single misstep can turn an aircraft into a falling object. The final transmission: ‘Mayday’ and then nothing According to air traffic control logs, the pilot of the flight managed to transmit just one short distress call. It was formal and urgent: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”—the internationally recognised radio transmission for emergency situations. But what stood out to experts wasn’t just what was said—it was what wasn’t. “A Mayday call means the pilot is facing a life-threatening emergency,” says Pillai. “Normally, pilots follow this with details of their situation and intentions, but in this case, there was hardly any time.” The lack of a follow-up message strongly suggests the pilot was already overwhelmed—perhaps battling for control, diagnosing a problem, or trying to manage the plane’s trajectory in those final moments. “In an emergency, your first duty is to fly the airplane,” Pillai explains. “You have to get control of the aircraft, see where it’s going, and determine your desired trajectory. Communication comes later.” Aviation’s central mystery: Why didn’t the plane climb? The plane, according to radar data, reached just about 625 feet above the ground before beginning a fatal descent. This raises one of the most baffling questions in the investigation: Why couldn’t the aircraft climb? While structural failure or sabotage has not been ruled out, Pillai in his personal opinion feels there are possibilities of errors while loading data. “The probability of both engines failing simultaneously is one in many millions,” he says. He noted that video footage taken just before the crash showed no signs of smoke or fire, making a bird strike unlikely. The hidden threat: Incorrect take-off data Every pilot, before take-off, inputs crucial parameters into the flight management system—details like aircraft weight, runway condition, temperature, and wind speed. From this, the aircraft computes three critical speeds. If these calculations are wrong—especially weight—the result can be devastating. “If incorrect data is entered—for example, underestimating the aircraft’s weight—the computer may set insufficient thrust, leading to a sluggish take-off or inability to climb,” explains Pillai. He references the 2009 near-disaster of an Emirates flight 407, from Auckland to Dubai with a stopover in Melbourne. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) led the investigation into the accident, focusing on three key questions: How the first officer came to enter an incorrect aircraft weight, why the error went undetected prior to take-off, and why the flight crew failed to notice the unusually slow acceleration until nearly the entire 3.6-kilometre (12,000-foot) runway had been used. “If the computer thinks the plane is lighter than it actually is, it won’t command enough power. You’ll lift off sluggishly, maybe not at all.” Human factors: When team dynamics go awry The cockpit is a place of hierarchy—but also of shared responsibility. A seasoned captain working with a less experienced first officer may create an imbalance that affects safety. “An experienced pilot can multitask and set a fast pace, but if the co-pilot is less experienced and fails to double-check, errors can creep in,” Pillai notes. In critical moments, a failure to cross-verify aircraft weight, flap settings can reduce acceleration and climb rate—eating into safety margins rapidly. Failure to cross check, can lead to an errors in calculating the take off run required and climb performance. “If the weight is incorrect, the plane may not accelerate or climb as expected, using up more runway and reducing safety margins,” he said. Landing gear, flaps—and the danger of mistakes Among the anomalies being examined is the suggestion that the landing gear was never retracted. Normally, gear-up selection happens shortly after take-off. “After reaching 35 to 50 feet, you select the landing gear up,” says Pillai. “If this isn’t done, it could be due to preoccupation with an emergency—or by mistake moving the flaps lever instead of the gear lever.” This isn’t just theoretical. He recounts a past tragedy caused by a similar mistake where the flap lever was moved instead of the gear lever, thereby reducing speed and increasing drag How simulators keep pilots prepared for the worst Modern commercial aviation is built on precision, preparedness, and constant practice—especially for those in the cockpit. Pillai says that no matter how experienced a pilot is, continuous training is non-negotiable. “Every pilot, right down to the time he retires—whether he’s a seasoned training captain with 30,000 hours or a newcomer with just 500—has to undergo mandatory simulator training every six months.” These aren't just routine refreshers. The simulator sessions replicate a wide range of emergency scenarios: engine failures, hydraulic losses, electrical faults, bird strikes, and even complex weather conditions. “Almost any emergency that you can think of—that can happen on an airplane—is simulated and practiced. Because in reality, many pilots may never experience a single major emergency in their entire career,” he explains. Despite that rarity, preparedness is key. That's why proficiency checks are held after every simulator session. Pilots must pass these checks to keep their licenses valid and remain eligible to fly. “It’s not optional. If a pilot doesn’t clear the check, they don’t go back to line flying,” the former captain stresses. Beyond simulator evaluations, pilots are subject to other regular in-flight assessments such as route checks. “Practically every three months, there’s some form of check or clearance. The system is designed to ensure pilots stay sharp—not just technically, but also in decision-making under pressure."

As investigators sift through the data and debris, a broader aviation community is asking: What happened in those final seconds? Could the crash have been avoided? And what does it tell us about the pressure’s pilots face when machines malfunction and margins vanish?

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