The number of confirmed deaths from the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, has risen to 279, according to local police reports on Saturday.
A senior officer, who requested not to be named, said the updated figure reflects bodies recovered both from the ill-fated aircraft and the residential area where it went down.
The revised toll surpasses an earlier count of 265 and places the incident among the deadliest air disasters in recent decades.
The Air India flight was en route to London’s Gatwick Airport with 242 people on board, but only one person survived the crash.
Authorities said that at least 38 of the victims were on the ground when the plane slammed into multiple homes near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport shortly after takeoff.
The final death toll may still change as forensic teams work through the difficult task of identifying remains using DNA analysis.
According to Air India, the passengers included 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, one Canadian, and a crew of 12.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner reportedly issued a mayday call just moments after takeoff before crashing within minutes.
It had reached an altitude of only about 100 meters before losing control.
One of the aircraft’s black boxes was recovered on Friday, while efforts continue to locate the second flight recorder to help determine what caused the disaster.
Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has stated it is in contact with Air India and is prepared to provide assistance with the investigation.
A source familiar with the matter noted that this appears to be the first crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.