A devastating air crash occurred Thursday, claiming the lives of 241 passengers and crew aboard an Air India flight en route from Ahmedabad, India, to London. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, moments after takeoff, impacted a residential area, striking a hospital complex and medical student hostel.
Miraculously, one passenger, a British national seated in 11A, survived. Vishwashkumar Ramesh, in a statement to local media, described the sudden, catastrophic event and his incredible escape. The official death toll is expected to rise, making this one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters.
Air India Flight AI171 departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT), scheduled to arrive at London’s Gatwick Airport at 18:25 BST. Onboard were 230 passengers, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, and citizens of several other countries, along with 12 crew members.
Authorities have recovered 204 bodies, though the exact breakdown between those on the plane and on the ground remains unclear. Images depict a widespread debris field, with aircraft parts embedded in buildings. The investigation, led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, is underway, with assistance from US and UK investigators.
The DGCA reported a mayday call seconds after takeoff, followed by loss of contact with air traffic control. The crash site, within a large medical campus, presented rescue workers with chaotic scenes amidst thick smoke and scattered personal belongings. The aircraft struck the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital’s student hostel and staff quarters, impacting a lunchtime gathering of students.
Tata Group, Air India’s owner, pledged one crore rupees (£86,000) to each victim’s family. Prime Minister Modi expressed profound sorrow, echoing sentiments from world leaders including the British and Canadian Prime Ministers, and King Charles. A UK team has been dispatched to aid the investigation.
Additional reporting by Tiffany Wertheimer
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A London-bound flight crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad.
Experts suggest potential causes including flap malfunction, engine failure, or bird strike.