An Air India flight bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff in a densely populated residential area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, killing 241 people, including 229 passengers and 12 crew members. The crash also resulted in fatalities on the ground, including at least five medical students from a nearby hostel.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, struck a medical college building and exploded, leaving the majority of the bodies charred beyond recognition. Black smoke and wreckage scattered the area, prompting a massive emergency response from firefighters and army units.
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Amazingly, one passenger, identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, survived the crash after being thrown from the plane when it reportedly split in mid-air. Though severely injured and disoriented, doctors stated he is likely to survive. He recounted that the plane began descending unnaturally after takeoff and exploded soon after breaking apart. CCTV footage and social media videos confirmed the aircraft’s abnormal descent and the resulting fireball upon impact.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the tragedy as “heartbreaking beyond words,” while the ruling BJP confirmed the death of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in the crash. Medical association officials reported dozens of injuries and warned that more victims may be buried in the debris. Air India expressed deep sorrow, pledging full support to the families of the victims and ongoing rescue efforts.
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This marks the first recorded crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model introduced in 2009 with over 1,000 aircraft in service worldwide. Aviation authorities confirmed the plane issued a mayday signal before losing contact with air traffic control. Experts noted unusual flight patterns just after takeoff and emphasized that the flight data recorders will be crucial to determining the cause of the accident.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed condolences, emphasizing support for the families of the 53 British passengers aboard. U.K. officials, including Cabinet members and King Charles III, extended sympathies and promised assistance. With a large Indian diaspora in Britain, the crash has had a profound cross-national emotional impact, especially considering one of the victims was a British national of Indian origin.
India has seen several major aviation disasters over the years, with the worst being a 1996 mid-air collision that killed 349 people. This crash is one of the deadliest in recent Indian history. Boeing, still reeling from previous incidents involving the 737 Max, saw its stock plunge nearly 9% in pre-market trading following the news. The aviation world is now closely watching the investigation, which is expected to provide insights into both technical and operational causes.