Indian scientists devise new technique to hasten rescue of air-crash victims

The system simultaneously alerts the district administration, hospitals and police stations in the vicinity of the crash site besides suggesting the best route for the rescue teams to reach the crash site - all within seconds.

"Our study is focussed on Gujarat, which has 13 airports," Harinarayana said. "Our model would enable quick location of the crash site in the event of an airplane disaster within Gujarat."

He said that in order to provide this "alert service" all that the system requires is the cruising altitude of the plane, its speed, its scheduled route and its last known coordinates before losing contact.

"These parameters - which are readily available with the air traffic controller monitoring the airplane - are used to calculate the time taken by the plane to reach the ground," he said.