A pall of grief has descended over Ahmedabad, India, following the crash of Air India Flight AI171 shortly after takeoff on Thursday. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, plummeted to the ground minutes after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, leaving a scene of devastation and claiming the lives of 241 people. In what authorities are calling a miracle, one passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, survived the fiery crash.
The aircraft, en route to London Gatwick, crashed into a densely populated area near the airport, hitting a medical college hostel. The impact and subsequent fire caused extensive damage and resulted in numerous casualties on the ground, with reports indicating that at least 50 medical students were admitted to the hospital, several in critical condition.
Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, battling the intense blaze and working to recover bodies from the wreckage. The sheer scale of the tragedy has prompted a large-scale investigation, with the National Transportation Safety Board and Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch sending investigators to assist the probe.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the disaster. According to Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik, Ramesh was found in seat 11A. Reports indicate that Ramesh managed to escape the wreckage, and was discovered to have been seated near an emergency exit. He is currently receiving treatment at Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital for multiple injuries.
News of the crash has sent shockwaves across the globe. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson expressed the airline's profound sorrow and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Ahmedabad.
The crash of AI171 marks a grim chapter in Indian aviation history. While the investigation is underway, it is important to note that the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has generally been considered a safe aircraft. Until this incident, the model had maintained a strong safety record.
The sole survivor's account will undoubtedly be crucial in piecing together the events that led to the crash. While the world mourns the loss of so many lives, the story of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
