Air India flight crash path
Air India flight crash path

In a catastrophic air disaster, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon, killing more than 240 people, authorities confirmed. The crash marks the world’s worst aviation tragedy in over a decade.

The aircraft, Flight AI171, carrying 242 people – including 217 adults, 11 children, and two infants – went down around 1:40 p.m., smashing into a medical college hostel during lunch hour.

According to authorities, the death toll includes passengers as well as people on the ground, though exact numbers are still being verified.

Only one person, a British national of Indian origin, survived the crash. Identified as 40-year-old Ramesh Viswashkumar, he was seated in 11A, next to an emergency exit.

Speaking from his hospital bed, he recounted hearing a loud noise moments after takeoff. “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I stood up and ran,” he told Hindustan Times, adding that his brother was also on the flight and remains missing.

CCTV footage shows the aircraft vanishing from view moments before a massive fireball erupted near the crash site.

State officials confirmed the plane made a Mayday call shortly after departure, but communication ceased soon after.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of devastation, with parts of the aircraft’s fuselage scattered around the smouldering hostel building. The plane’s tail was seen lodged atop the structure.

Among the deceased was Vijay Rupani, former chief minister of Gujarat. Relatives have been asked to provide DNA samples to help identify victims.

The injured, including medical college students, are receiving treatment at local hospitals.

Experts expressed concern after video analysis suggested the aircraft’s landing gear remained down during flight, an anomaly during ascent.

A full-scale investigation has been launched by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. Boeing and GE Aerospace have committed teams to support the probe, with both U.S. and British authorities offering assistance.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson expressed profound sorrow and assured full cooperation with investigators. Boeing shares fell 5% following the crash.

This marks India’s first major air crash since 2020. Ahmedabad Airport has resumed limited operations, while the nation mourns a tragedy that has drawn condolences from global leaders, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer, as well as U.S. President Donald Trump.

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