Children orphaned as father killed in India plane crash days after mother dies

A father returning home after scattering his wife's ashes was among the victims of the Air India crash, leaving his two young children suddenly orphaned.

Flight 171 was carrying 242 people when it struck a medical college hostel less than a minute after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, in western India. Twenty-nine people on the ground were killed, taking the total number of victims to 270.

A hospital official confirmed 270 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, but DNA testing is being conducted to identify the bodies. Just one passenger, a British man from Leicester, survived what has become the worst aviation crash in a decade.

Among the victims, 37-year-old Arjun Patoliya had been visiting India to fulfil his wife Bharti's "final wish" to be laid to rest in her hometown of Gujarat. Bharti had died just over two weeks ago, following a "courageous battle with cancer".

A GoFundMe page, set up to raise funds for their two children, says: "Arjun left to bid farewell to his wife, never returned to the children they both raised. "Now, these two beautiful young girls have been left without parents - their world turned upside down in just over two weeks." A fundraiser, which has topped more than a quarter of a million pounds, confirms all money raised will go directly into a legal trust, "to ensure every penny is dedicated to the girls' needs".

Airline offers additional £21k payment Air India had initially said it would pay £85,000 to the families of each passenger killed in the crash. However, it said on Saturday it would now offer an additional "interim payment" of £21,000 to "help address immediate financial needs".

This brings the total amount of compensation being offered to families to £106,000. "Air India stands in solidarity with the families of the passengers who tragically lost their lives in the recent accident," the airline said.

"Our teams on the ground are doing everything possible to extend care and support during this incredibly difficult time. Read more on Air India crash:Air India's lone survivor is nothing short of miracleGloucester family among deadEverything we know about the crash Investigation will take three months India's aviation minister has said a government panel reviewing the crash will complete its assessment in three months.

Ram Mohan Naidu said the government has also ordered "extended surveillance" of Boeing 787 planes. Air India operates 33 Boeing 787s, while rival airline IndiGo has one, according to data from Flightradar24.

Mr Naidu said the plane started descending after reaching 650 feet. Every theory as to what happened will be looked into, he said.

But in the meantime, he has instructed the airline to assist the families of passengers to ensure there is no delay in handing over the bodies of those who died. Black box has been found India's aviation ministry says workers have recovered the digital flight data recorder - one of two black boxes on the plane, from the rooftop of the building where it crashed.

This box has data on engine and control settings, so will be able to show if there was a loss of engine power or lift after takeoff. The investigation will initially focus on the engine, flaps and landing gear, a source told Reuters on Friday.

A possible bird-hit is not among the key areas of focus, the source said, adding that teams of anti-terror experts were part of the investigation process. There is no information yet on the cockpit voice recorder, the other black box, which will be a crucial part of understanding what caused the plane to crash..