Air India crash report: fuel switches cut off after takeoff

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary
BBC World Service | Episode: Air India crash report: fuel switches cut off after takeoff | Release Date: July 11, 2025

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1. Air India Flight 171 Crash Investigation

Timestamp: 01:08 – 07:23

The episode opens with a detailed report on the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171, which occurred a month prior when the aircraft plunged into a building shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport, resulting in the deaths of 260 people, including all but one onboard.

• Fuel Control Switch Malfunction:
  An initial investigation report indicates that both fuel control switches in the cockpit were moved to the "cut off" position immediately after takeoff, causing both engines to lose thrust. A critical moment captured in the cockpit voice recorder reveals one pilot questioning the other:

  Samira Hussain, 03:29: “And the other says, I didn't switch it off. Which would suggest that it wasn't a human intervention there.”

• Expert Analysis by David Gleave:
  Aviation safety investigator David Gleave discusses potential causes, highlighting possibilities such as software glitches, electrical arcing, or deliberate human action:

  David Gleave, 02:41: “I'm not ruling out the possibility of some software issue or an electrical arcing problem or something like that causing the signals to the relevant computers from sending that type of signal.”

• Maintenance Concerns:
  The report references a 2018 FAA warning about issues with these switches, raising questions about whether proper maintenance was conducted on the involved fleet:

  Dominic Hughes, 05:34: “Now, one of the questions will be whether or not that was done on this particular fleet.”

• Impact on Families:
  The emotional toll on the victims' families is poignantly captured through interviews, emphasizing the profound loss and lingering questions about aircraft safety:

  Dominic Hughes, 06:21: “Ultimately it's not going to bring back the number of people that have died as a result of that plane crash... why weren't the appropriate checks made?”

2. President Trump's Response to Texas Floods

Timestamp: 07:23 – 11:56

The podcast transitions to President Donald Trump's visit to Texas following catastrophic floods that claimed 120 lives and left 160 missing.

• Trump's Defense of Flood Response:
  Despite the devastation, President Trump faces scrutiny over the effectiveness of flood warnings and government cuts:

  David Mitchell, 08:02: “Only a bad person would ask a question like that... this was a thing that has never happened before.”

• Melania Trump's Empathy:
  In contrast, First Lady Melania Trump delivers a message of compassion to the survivors:

  Melania Trump, 08:28: “We pray with them, we hug, we hold hands... I will be back, I promise to them.”

• Expert Insights by Samira Hussain:
  Samira Hussain examines Trump's reactions and the broader implications for FEMA funding:

  Samira Hussain, 10:20: “He might not actually cut it in the end... it's not the first time that he's done it since returning to office.”

• Public Reception:
  The response from Texans is mixed, with support from some and questions about the administration's preparedness and response strategies:

  Samira Hussain, 11:22: “He looked quite pale at one point, he looked visibly moved and shocked at what he had seen.”

3. Impact of Emergency Vaccinations

Timestamp: 11:56 – 16:26

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to a new study showcasing the life-saving impact of emergency vaccinations during outbreaks.

• Study Findings:
  Analysis from 2000 to 2023 across 49 countries reveals that emergency vaccinations reduced disease cases and deaths by nearly 60%, with economic benefits estimated at $30 billion:

  Dominic Hughes, 12:25: “The impact of that has been really stark... overall deaths were reduced by nearly 60%.”

• Support and Funding Challenges:
  Despite these positive outcomes, GAVI faces funding challenges amid global aid cuts and rising vaccine skepticism, notably influenced by figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.:

  Oliver Conway, 14:57: “It's not all good news... vaccine skepticism growing as well.”

• Measles Outbreak in the US:
  The resurgence of measles, with over 1,200 cases reported—the highest since 2000—underscores the pressing need for vaccination amidst growing distrust:

  Oliver Conway, 15:52: “There is real concern about that measles outbreak in the United States.”

4. Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations on the Brink

Timestamp: 16:26 – 18:00

The podcast covers the fragile state of ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, pivotal for releasing remaining hostages.

• Netanyahu's Optimism vs. Palestinian Skepticism:
  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains a hopeful outlook, suggesting a ceasefire deal could be imminent:

  Dominic Hughes, 16:50: “Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu had maintained a positive tone.”

  However, Palestinian officials warn that talks are nearing collapse, citing Israel's demands to retain control over 40% of the Gaza Strip and accusations of creating a "humanitarian city" as a trap:

  Oliver Conway, 16:50: “Israeli officials are using... to buy time.”

5. Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan

Timestamp: 20:05 – 25:04

The civil war in Sudan continues to escalate, resulting in the world's worst humanitarian crisis marked by war crimes and widespread famine.

• War Crimes and International Response:
  Nazad Shamim Khan of the International Criminal Court highlights the dire situation, referencing ongoing trials against militia leaders:

  Eva Hynes, 21:14: “It's really difficult for children... hospitals have been bombed.”

• Displacement and Famine:
  The town of Tawila has become a refuge for approximately 400,000 displaced individuals, straining local resources and infrastructure:

  Melania Trump, 22:04: “Tawila has taken close to 400,000 people... there are very desperate cases.”

• Impact on Children:
  UNICEF reports a doubling in severely malnourished children in North Darfur, emphasizing the urgent need for aid:

  Eva Hynes, 21:14: “Children are grappling with malnutrition... attacks on convoys.”

6. Greece's New Asylum Legislation

Timestamp: 25:04 – 25:53

In response to a surge of over 2,600 migrants arriving in Crete this month, the Greek parliament has sanctioned legislation to suspend processing new asylum claims.

• Government's Stance:
  Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis asserts that Greece will not serve as an open corridor to Europe, aiming to deter migrants and disrupt smuggling networks:

  Oliver Conway, 24:10: “Greece said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was not an open corridor to Europe.”

• Criticism from Rights Groups:
  Human rights organizations argue that the measure violates international obligations, emphasizing the right to seek asylum:

  Oliver Conway, 24:10: “Rights groups say the measure violates the country's obligations under international law.”

7. UNESCO's New African World Heritage Sites

Timestamp: 25:53 – 29:42

UNESCO has expanded its World Heritage list to include two significant African sites, aiming to enhance the continent's representation and promote tourism.

• New Additions:

  • Mandara Mountains, Cameroon: Ruins of dry stone structures built between the 12th and 17th centuries.
  • Mount Mulanji, Malawi: The highest peak in Malawi, revered as a sacred site.

  David Mitchell, 25:17: “The Mandara Mountains... considered by locals to be sacred.”

• Potential Benefits:
  Being designated as World Heritage Sites can lead to increased tourism and funding, supporting local economies and preservation efforts:

  David Mitchell, 25:17: “Being deemed a World Heritage Site often leads to lucrative tourism drives.”

8. Preservation vs. Development: Prague's Wisraad Railway Bridge

Timestamp: 25:53 – 29:42

A heated debate unfolds over the future of the historic Wisraad Railway Bridge in Prague, balancing transportation needs with cultural heritage preservation.

• Current Condition and Proposals:
  The bridge, over 123 years old, is suffering from significant rust and corrosion. The railway administration proposes tearing it down to build a new structure, while preservationists advocate for restoration:

  Rob Cameron, 26:27: “The railway administration remains unmoved... it's simply not possible to reconcile these two things.”

• Preservationists' Argument:
  Architect Petter Tey and the Visharad Bridge Foundation argue that repairing the bridge is feasible, cost-effective, and endorsed by UNESCO:

  Rob Cameron, 29:16: “It proved the bridge, once repaired, can serve for another hundred years... much cheaper.”

• Government Decision Pending:
  Despite public support and expert endorsements, the final decision rests with the Czech government, highlighting the complexities of heritage conservation amidst modernization:

  Rob Cameron, 29:42: “Ultimately... it's one that will have to be decided... by the Czech government.”

9. Island Games in Orkney, Scotland

Timestamp: 30:05 – 32:13

Thousands of athletes and spectators converge on Orkney for the annual Island Games, fostering international camaraderie and local economic activity.

• Event Overview:
  The Island Games, an Olympic-style competition for small islands, feature around 2,000 athletes participating in diverse sports such as athletics, cycling, football, archery, and lawn bowls:

  Chris McLennan, 30:25: “The Island Games is an Olympic style event for small islands... fierce competition.”

• Local Impact:
  The influx of visitors strains local resources, leading to innovative solutions like converting school facilities into dormitories:

  Chris McLennan, 31:53: “One of the biggest challenges has been accommodation... classrooms and gym halls in four schools converted into dormitories.”

• Community Enthusiasm:
  Residents of Orkney display immense hospitality and excitement, enhancing the festive atmosphere:

  Dominic Hughes, 31:30: “There's a real buzz about the place.”

Conclusion

The episode of the Global News Podcast provided a comprehensive overview of critical global events ranging from aviation safety concerns and political responses to natural disasters, humanitarian crises, public health advancements, and cultural preservation debates. Through expert interviews and on-the-ground reporting, listeners gain nuanced insights into each story's complexities and broader implications.

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For more detailed reports and updates, subscribe to the Global News Podcast and stay informed with the BBC World Service.

Transcript

[Oliver Conway]

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[Katrina Perry]

You're listening to the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. Hello, I'm Oliver Conway. This edition is published in the early hours of Saturday 12th July. A report into the Air India crash last month as the fuel supply was switched off just after takeoff. On a visit to Texas with the First Lady, President Trump dismisses a question about the effectiveness of flood warnings and Palestinian officials tell the BBC that Gaza ceasefire negotiations are on the verge of collapse. Also in this podcast. This is extremely significant. It's the first time that we have a clear picture of what timely access to vaccines through a stockpile in an outbreak situation can really do. A new study finds that emergency vaccinations have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. One month ago, air India Flight 171 plunged into a building seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport. Two hundred and sixty people died, including all but one person on board. An initial report released in India in the early hours of Saturday says both fuel control switches in the cockpit were moved to the cut off position just after takeoff. This caused both engines to lose thrust. In the voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why he did the cutoff. The other pilot responded that he didn't. So what does it all mean? David Gleave is an aviation safety investigator.

[David Gleave]

I'm not ruling out the possibility of some software issue or an electrical arcing problem or something like that causing the signals to the relevant computers from sending that type of signal. The 1 second time gap is typically associated with how frequently the switch positions are sampled. So it could have been almost instantaneous. It could have been within almost next to each other, or within two seconds, depending on where within the one second sampling time they were switched. Or it could be some form of human deliberate act. At the moment, a lot of analysis will go in to say how could this have happened electrically or electronically as well as human intervention.

[Samira Hussain]

We do have the finding though, relating.

[David Mitchell]

To the voice box recording where one pilot asks the other, why did you switch that off?

[Samira Hussain]

And the other says, I didn't switch it off. Which would suggest that it wasn't a human intervention there.

[David Mitchell]

How critical is that to the takeoff of a plane that those buttons are flicked on and off, whether it's by.

[Samira Hussain]

A human or an electronic failure or a software issue?

[David Gleave]

Well, essentially it's the same as the key switch in your car. Switching the engines off is done directly through those particular buttons. So it's essential that when the signal that the engines receive is that they are to be kept on, certainly the recycling of the buttons from off to on again happens if you have a double engine failure with the procedures on board that aeroplane. So it's absolutely critical that the switch remains and the sensors detect that the switch remains in that on position.

[Katrina Perry]

Aviation safety investigator David Gleave, talking to the BBC's Katrina Perry. Well, I heard more from our correspondent in Delhi, Samira Hussain.

[Dominic Hughes]

This is very much a preliminary report, but what we can really see is that the focus of the investigation is concentrating on what was happening in the cockpit. We heard that the fuel engines were switched from the run position to that cutoff position. Then there was a conversation between the two pilots, One pilot saying to the other, why is it that that was switched? The other pilot saying, I did not make that switch. And then they put those engines, the fuel engines from that cutoff position back into the run position. And it takes a little bit of time when the plane is already in the air for that to sort of reignite and for it to be able to fly. And it was just time that they did not have on that plane. So if you go back and remember some of the video that we saw, we saw that the plane had taken off and then it was this gentle kind of come down and then the crash when it finally hit the ground.

[Katrina Perry]

So the investigators will want to know why those switches went to the off position.

[Dominic Hughes]

Absolutely. There was, of course, a lot of question whether there was some fault with the plane. And based on this preliminary report, report, it seems that there wasn't anything particularly wrong with this plane. However, the report did mention that in 2018, the FAA, which is the American aviation regulator, had said that there is an issue with these switches and that there needs to be a certain kind of maintenance that needs to be done with regards to these switches. Now, of course, one of the questions will be whether or not that was done on this particular, particular fleet.

[Katrina Perry]

Now, this report came out very late at night. Where you are, what's likely to be the reaction?

[Dominic Hughes]

I think a lot of people are going to be waking up to the news of this report, especially for so many of the family members of victims from that plane crash who are still here in India. You know, ahead of this report, I spoke with one woman who lost her husband on that flight and she is now taking care of her, her 11 year old son. And you know, she tearfully described what it's like to hear these questions that are coming from her son about why her daddy died and why wasn't the plane taken care of. And with regards to the upcoming report, I asked her what it would mean and she said, ultimately it's not going to bring my husband back. Ultimately it's not going to bring back the number of people that have died as a result of that plane crash. And for her, the questions were certainly going to be, you know, if there was something wrong with the plane, why weren't the appropriate checks made?

[Katrina Perry]

Samaira Hussain in Delhi talking to me in the early hours of Saturday morning on Friday, eight days after Texas was hit by deadly floods, President Trump traveled to the scene with the first lady to meet relatives of some of the 120 people who died. 160 others are still missing. The presidential couple saw for themselves some of the destruction, but with before joining a meeting with local officials and emergency workers, President Trump tried to defend the response of the authorities amid questions about the impact of government cuts. And he lashed out when asked by CBS News whether more lives could have been saved if flood warnings had been received earlier.

[David Mitchell]

Only a bad person would ask a question like that. To be honest with you, I don't know who you are, but only a very evil person would ask a question like that. I think this has been heroism. It's easy to sit back and say, oh, what could have happened here or there? You know, maybe we could have done something differently. This was a thing that has never happened before.

[Katrina Perry]

The first lady, Melania Trump, struck a very different tone when she talked about meeting survivors.

[Melania Trump]

We pray with them, we hug, we hold hands. And I met beautiful young ladies. They gave me this special bracelet from the camp in honor of the all of the little girls that they lost their lives. I will be back, I promise to them. And I just pray for them and giving them my strength and love.

[Katrina Perry]

Our correspondent Nomia Iqbal was in Texas for the visit. I asked her about President Trump's reaction to questions about the response to the deadly floods.

[Samira Hussain]

There are lots of concerns about the warning systems. Were they weakened because of cuts that have been made to various federal agencies. And so it's interesting because Mr. Trump is obviously very quick to give his opinion on things, but when it comes to this, it was a sensitive spot for him. And it's such a contrast as well, because here it's obviously a red state. It's a state that has consistently voted for Donald Trump. He lavished praise on the Republican governor, Greg Abbott Abbott, a very different contrast, as I say, to the way he treated the Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, when California was struck by wildfires. Then he was very much doing the blame game. But like I say, there are real questions here about exactly what went wrong. But not just that. People here to tell us that they want help by the government, by President Trump to help them rebuild their lives. So many tragic stories. You know, obviously people are still missing and people have lost their livelihoods here as well.

[Katrina Perry]

Yeah. He's previously criticized the way that the disaster response agency FEMA handles things. Has he rethought that now?

[Samira Hussain]

Well, it's interesting because he very much has opinions on FEMA and he has talked for a long time about cutting the agency, but he's been pretty quiet about it this time round. And there are even some reports that suggest he might be backtracking from that plan entirely, that he may not actually cuss it in the end. And if that's the case, then it's interesting because I do think presidents are often defined by the way they handle these sorts of disasters. And he's come here and he's probably sensed the mood perhaps. I mean, look, there's lots of people here that still support him and love him and very excited to see him. But he has perhaps sensed that mood and seen disaster up close and personal. And if he does do a U turn, it's not the first time that he's done it since returning to office. He's done U turns on many other things. He kind of changes the goalposts to, to fit the occasion.

[Katrina Perry]

And was he able to show empathy during this visit in the same way that Melania Trump was?

[Samira Hussain]

I think so. When he sat down, he looked, he looked quite pale at one point, he looked visibly moved and shocked at what he had seen. And he expressed that. He expressed his anguish about what had happened. And so I think in many ways that's probably why he lashed out, out at the reporter for asking that question. Reporters ask those questions. They're allowed to. But as I say, it is also a very sensitive spot for him because there are criticisms in terms of how elected officials here have handled it as well as the federal government.

[Katrina Perry]

Nomi Iqbal in Texas. Vaccine scepticism may be on the rise, but a new study has found that emergency inoculations have saved hundreds of thousands of lives in recent decades. Analysis of outbreaks of five diseases between the year 2000 and 2023 concluded that vaccination had reduced cases and deaths by an average of nearly 60%. They also significantly limited the outbreaks. I heard more about the research from our global health correspondent, Dominic Hughes.

[Oliver Conway]

It's really an examination of the impact that vaccines have had on emergency outbreaks. So if we look at, for example, the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa that occurred before a vaccine was available, it caused more than 11,000 deaths. But since then, a vaccine has been developed and rolled out, and the impact of that has been really stark. So this is what researchers say is the first comprehensive study of this emergency vaccination program. They looked at seven subsequent Ebola outbreaks where vaccines were available, and they found that both deaths and infections had been cut by more than 75%, by three quarters. The study also looked at measles, cholera, yellow fever and meningitis. 210 different incidents in all from 2000 to 2023 in 49 different countries. And overall deaths were reduced by nearly 60%. That's around 327,000 people and the number of cases by a very similar percentage. And the swift deployment of vaccines also appears to have halted wider outbreaks. And that's really important because that has led to, to significant economic benefits, too, worth an estimated $30 billion, mainly from averting deaths and years of life lost to disability. But even that figure could be a significant underestimate of overall savings because it just doesn't take into account the costs of dealing with, for example, a wider outbreak or the economic disruption caused by a more serious health emergency. Now, this study was backed by gavi, which is an international bank, public private vaccine alliance. The main funders have been, up until now, the uk, the US Governments, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It was responsible for many of these programs. And GAVI's Dr. Derek Sim says it proves now just how important quick and effective vaccine rollouts can be.

[Katrina Perry]

This report is yet another piece of scientific evidence that demonstrates the value of vaccines and its role in preventing disease, in this case, preventing outbreaks, nipping them in the bud to prevent the spread of disease and crossing borders. This is extremely significant. It's the first time that we have a clear picture of what timely access to vaccines through a stockpile in an outbreak situation can really do. Derek Sim from gavi. So it shows what it can do, but it's not all good news.

[Oliver Conway]

No, it's not, because GAVI is currently trying to secure a fresh round of funding, and it's doing that in the face of global cuts to foreign aid, but also growing vaccine skepticism, not least from one of the most important public health officials in the United States, if not the most, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Now, he's previously announced that the US won't be providing additional funding to GAVI unless it changes its evaluation of vaccine science and safety, among other issues. But the World Health Organization also says that there is a growing number of people who will not accept a vaccine, that that number has risen dramatically since 2010. And we've seen that vaccine skepticism growing as well. So there are issues on the horizon there.

[Katrina Perry]

Yeah, the vaccine skepticism in the US Growing despite a big increase in the number of measles cases there.

[Oliver Conway]

Yeah, measles cases well over 1200, the highest since that childhood disease was declared eliminated in the US in 2000. That is really concerning because it shows the level of vaccine skepticism, which also seems to be a political issue as well. And I think parents forget just how terrible measles can be, that it can leave children with lifelong injury and disability, but also it can lead to death in rare cases. So there is real concern about that measles outbreak in the United States.

[Katrina Perry]

Our global health correspondent Dominic Hughes on Thursday, as he prepared to leave Washington, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that a Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas to release the remaining hostages could be just a few days away. But now Palestinian officials have told the BBC indirect talks between both sides in Qatar are on the brink of collapse. Emir Nada reports from Jerusalem on one.

[Oliver Conway]

Key point of contention, the withdrawal of troops. A Palestinian official said the Israeli delegation presented a map which would allow it to effectively maintain control of around 40% of the Gaza Strip, including a number of cities. The officials also called an Israeli proposal to create a so called humanitarian city in Rafah as a trap and a clear plan for the forced displacement of Palestinians. Yesterday in the United States Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had maintained a positive tone, telling hostage families that a deal was just a few days away. One of the Palestinian officials who spoke to the BBC said Israel was using the ongoing ceasefire talks in Doha to buy time.

[Katrina Perry]

Our correspondent Emir Nada in Jerusalem. And still to come on the Global News podcast, there's a mistaken perception that there are two conflicting interests at play here, transportation and protecting our cultural heritage. The but our study shows there's actually no conflict at all. On the contrary, they support each other. The campaign to save an industrial landmark in the Czech capital Prague.

[Samira Hussain]

As a.

[David Mitchell]

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[Katrina Perry]

The Civil War in Sudan has been going on for more than two years, leading to what's been described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. But now there are reasonable grounds to believe that war crimes are being committed. According to the deputy prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Nazad Shamim Khan told the UN Security Council it was hard to find the appropriate word to describe the suffering in the western region of Darfur. She referred to a recent war crimes trial against a leader of the Janjaweed militia, Ali Khushaib. To those on the ground in Darfur now, to those who are inflicting unimaginable atrocities on its population, they may feel a sense of impunity at this moment, but we are working intensively to ensure that the Ali Kusheb trial represents only the first of many in relation to this situation at the International Criminal Court. The conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has led to famine being declared in parts of Sudan. The UN Children's agency, unicef says the number of severely malnourished children in North Darfur has doubled. Eva Hynes is the chief of communications for unicef.

[David Mitchell]

In Sudan, it is particularly difficult for children who are often the most vulnerable. And we've seen that since April. The conflict in particularly in North Darfur and around Al Fashr and the camps surrounding it, it's really intensified. And we've seen entire neighborhoods that have been cut off from aid. Hospitals have been bombed, roads have been blocked. It's nearly impossible to get any aid in because there are attacks on convoys. And this, of course, makes it difficult for children to get any water, any food, any health care. And that's why we are seeing these very alarming numbers when we are talking about malnutrition and large number of children grappling with it.

[Katrina Perry]

Well, the town of Tawila has been overwhelmed by hundreds of thousands of people fleeing violence and famine elsewhere in Sudan. As we heard from our Deputy Africa editor, Ann Soy, Tawila is a small.

[Melania Trump]

Town in North Darfur which is under the control of an armed group that is not affiliated to either RSF and the Sudanese armed forces. That is where many people have found a safe haven after a big camp that was hosting internally displaced people in Zamzam was overrun by rsf. And so people fled there as well as from the North Darfur city of Al Fashar. And so since April, the Norwegian Refugee Council is saying that Tawila has taken close to 400,000 people. And you can imagine the strain they have put on the services. There's a lack of water, lactrines for people. Children just stopped going to school and these food shortages. And some of these people were fleeing from areas where famine had already been declared, like Zamzam. And so they were already desperate. But when you speak to many Sudanese, they are particularly concerned about the now. Are they going to survive to see tomorrow? They need food. They need every form of help they can receive. And then they were devastated again when the aid cuts were announced. And so you're talking about very desperate cases. We just need something to survive and then, you know, having to deal with all these international developments. So the vast majority of people right now would be thinking about survival, about food. But at the back of their minds, they also want justice. Very many women in Tawila, the ones who have fled to Tawila, have been reporting of rape as they escaped. So they survived, survived the war, but many of them are being raped along the way. Some have died along the way. They talked of seeing bodies as they fled to Tawila. I spoke to one woman who said that she had rescued a baby they found by the roadside whose mother had died. This child was roughly six months old.

[Katrina Perry]

And Soy our deputy Africa editor. The Greek parliament has approved legislation suspending the processing of new asylum claims from migrants arriving by boat from North Africa. It follows a surge of migrants arriving in Crete. Here's our Europe regional editor, Danny Eberhard.

[Oliver Conway]

The Greek government says it's facing an emergency. More than 2,600 migrants have reached Crete already this month. This new measure, passed by a large majority, will initially last for three months, during which new arrivals will be detained ahead of planned repatriations. The government said it will send a clear signal to people, smuggling networks and migrants whose money would be wasted. Greece said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was not an open corridor to Europe. Rights groups say the measure violates the country's obligations under international law. The UN's refugee agency said it's seriously concerned. It acknowledges the pressure on Crete, but says the ability to seek asylum is a fundamental human right. And it stresses that many of those crossing from North Africa are fleeing war and persecution, including refugees from Sudan.

[Katrina Perry]

Dani Eberhard UNESCO has chosen two places in Africa, one in Cameroon, one in Malawi, as World Heritage sites to try to boost the continent's representation on the list. Rachel Wright has the details.

[David Mitchell]

The D? Ged B Landscape of the Mandara Mountains in the far north of Cameroon are the ruins of dry stone round structures thought to have been built between the 12th and the 17th centuries by the ancestors of the Mafa people. They're surrounded by agricultural terraces and sites of worship. The new addition to UNESCO's list had been joined by Mount Mulanji, the highest peak in Malawi, considered by locals to be sacred. Being deemed a World Heritage Site often leads to lucrative tourism drives and can unlock funding. UNESCO says it's trying to increase the number of African sites on the World Heritage List.

[Katrina Perry]

Rachel Wright the Czech capital, Prague, is known as one of Europe's best preserved cities, with most tourists making a beeline for the 14th century Charles Bridge. But another bridge is making headlines there, the Wisraad Railway Bridge, whose iconic steel arches have been part of the Prague skyline for well over a century. The railway authorities want to tear it down and build a new one, but fans of the industrial landmark are fighting back. From Prague, Rob Cameron has this report.

[Rob Cameron]

A passenger train rumbles over Visehrad Railway bridge For the past 123 years, the key rail link across the river Vltava from the main station on one side of the river to Smichov station on the other, and from there westwards on to Pilsen, Karlovyvary and Germany. But the steel bridge carries around three quarters of Prague's railway traffic. And after decades of neglect, the rusty arches are truly showing their age. The railway administration says the beams, joints and rivets are now so corroded they need to remove the bridge altogether and build a new one on the existing stone pillars. Architect and bridge engineer Petter Tey says that's totally unnecessary.

[Katrina Perry]

These joints are most impacted by rust. So previous expert reports says that 70% of steel should be replaced. But according to our study, only 15% of the steel works needs to be changed.

[Rob Cameron]

That's a huge difference.

[Katrina Perry]

It's a huge difference here.

[Rob Cameron]

Petter is part of an initiative called the Visharad Bridge foundation, which has assembled an international coalition of experts who've restored similar bridges all over the world. They say repairing rather than replacing the Vishehrad Bridge will be quicker, cheaper and can even be done without stopping the trains. Their conclusions are endorsed by UNESCO, which protects much of the ancient Czech capital, as well as 25,000 thousand residents who signed a petition in favor. But the railway administration remains unmoved. Pavel Paida is the director of the construction preparation department.

[Oliver Conway]

Thanks to its condition, the bridge is currently carrying just 60% of its capacity, which, with the projected growth in rail travel, is becoming a major transport problem. Yes, it's a protected historical monument, but it's becoming increasingly clear that it's simply not possible to reconcile these two things if rail transport is to develop as projected, meaning if the bridge is expected to carry up to twice as many trains by 2030, then it must undergo major reconstruction.

[Rob Cameron]

Visualizations suggest the planned new bridge, complete with a added third rail, will closely resemble the old one and will be part of a total redevelopment of the whole riverside area. But Vissehrad Bridge foundation co founder Tomasz Bistritsky is convinced all that can be done without losing the original.

[Katrina Perry]

You know, there's a mistaken perception that there are two conflicting interests at play, transportation and protecting our cultural heritage. But our study shows there's actually no conflict at all. On the contrary, they support each other. It proved the bridge, once repaired, can serve for another hundred years. It'll be capable of handling all transport loads. And it also turned out to be much cheaper.

[Rob Cameron]

The fate of the Vishehrad Railway bridge arouses particularly strong emotions in an architectural gem such such as Prague. Ultimately, and perhaps sooner rather than later, it's one that will have to be decided not by railway engineers or heritage campaigners, but by the Czech government.

[Katrina Perry]

Rob Cameron reporting. Thousands of athletes and spectators from around the world are arriving on the island of Orkney off the coast of Scotland for the Island Games. The week long tournament which gets underway on Saturday, will see competitors from 24 islands around the world to compete in a range of events. More details from Chris McLennan.

[Chris McLennan]

The Island Games is an Olympic style event for small islands from across the globe, with around 2,000 athletes gathering in Orkney to take part in a week of fierce competition. Athletes from islands including the Falklands in St Helena in the South Atlantic compete in events such as athletics, cycling and football, as well as archery and lawn bowls. There is also one very big island involved, Greenland. The games were held in Guernsey two years ago, but they haven't visited Scotland for two decades. The event has been years in the planning with the final preparations being put in place. As Kjersti Talbot, director of Orkney 2025.

[David Mitchell]

Explains oh, we're ready, we're ready. The build is all on schedule, the sports are good and they're ready to go. Just a few finishing touches now from the moment they step off the plane, where we've got our welcome teams right through to the venues with all our volunteers on hand to help them as well as the community. People have been pulling out all the stops, decorating everywhere, helping our visit. It's all these few things that will make a difference and I think they'll really enjoy their Orcadian welcome.

[Chris McLennan]

And with Thousands already on the streets of Kirkwall, some taking part in an impromptu cricket match. Excitement is building.

[Dominic Hughes]

There's a real buzz about the place.

[Katrina Perry]

That's really good.

[David Mitchell]

I quite enjoy seeing our list folk around. It's good to see different coaches and stuff here and there.

[Katrina Perry]

It just feels a lot busier and.

[Oliver Conway]

Everyone'S like, you know, really happy.

[Katrina Perry]

The kids are very excited for all.

[Oliver Conway]

The games and stuff, so it's going to be great.

[David Mitchell]

I'm so glad I'm going to see see it because we'll never have it again.

[Oliver Conway]

I hope they enjoy Orkney and I.

[Katrina Perry]

Hope their cady and smartly feel welcome.

[Chris McLennan]

The Games swell the population of Orkney a shade under 22,000 by a huge amount. One of the biggest challenges has been accommodation, with classrooms and gym halls in four schools converted into dormitories. One interesting fact to leave you with. Also competing in the Island Games is Gibraltar, which the last time I looked at an atlas is not an Island.

[Katrina Perry]

Chris McLennan in Scotland. And that is all from us for now, but the Global News podcast will be back at the same time tomorrow. This edition was mixed by Zabibouna Karoosh and produced by Stephanie Zakrisen and Stephanie Tillotson. Our editors, Karen Martin. I'm Oliver Conway. Until next time. Goodbye.