Meghna Bali, head of the ABC’s South Asia bureau, is on the scene where the aircraft’s tail collided with a medical collage.
“I can see blackened trees, branches on the ground, broken glass and just this smell of burning rubber and plastic,” she said.
She has visited a hospital ward where the sole survivor is being treated, describing footage of him “wobbling form the crash site” as “astonishing”.
“He’s been able to climb out of an emergency window, his brother who was sitting next to him unfortunately didn’t survive,” the ABC correspondent said.
Families in India are giving samples of their DNA to help with identifying the bodies of those killed in the crash.
Elias Clure, the ABC’s Europe correspondent, is at London Gatwick Airport and said the United Kingdom’s foreign office has established crisis team to assist affected families.
Air India’s UK office has also set up a London reception centre for British loved ones.
Forensic investigations into the crash could take up to three years.
Loading YouTube content
Air India crash kills 229 passengers, 12 crew with one survivor
