A devastating एयर इंडिया plane crash near Ahmedabad, India, has resulted in the deaths of 241 passengers and crew members. The एयर इंडिया Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London's Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT) on Thursday. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, impacted a residential area, including a hospital complex and a medical student hostel.
Amidst the widespread devastation, a single survivor has been found: Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national who was seated in 11A. He is currently receiving treatment in a local hospital.
The crash site depicts a scene of utter destruction, with debris scattered across a large area and aircraft parts embedded within buildings. Emergency services are on the scene, and recovery efforts are underway. As of Thursday evening, authorities had recovered 204 bodies, but the exact number of fatalities on the ground remains unclear.
The incident has triggered an outpouring of grief and shock. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the crash as "heartbreaking beyond words." एयर इंडिया has confirmed the deaths of 241 people on board. The airline has stated that rescue and recovery efforts have concluded and that authorities are now focusing on victim identification and supporting affected families.
The flight manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian citizen.
According to reports, the plane struck the mess building of BJ Medical College before colliding with Atulyam Hostel, which houses senior resident doctors. The Indian Medical Association has confirmed the deaths of three medical students and the hospitalization of around 45 students, with some in critical condition.
The cause of the crash is currently unknown and under investigation. India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will lead the investigation, with assistance from the US National Transportation Safety Board and Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Boeing has also offered its full support, with a team standing ready to assist in the investigation.
The crash is the first accident involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and the first major accident for Air India since it was taken over by the Tata Group. In 2020, Air India had an accident where about 23 people died.
