An Air India plane, en route to London, tragically went down shortly after departing from Ahmedabad, leading to a catastrophic loss of life, with at least 241 confirmed dead.
Tragic Air India Plane Crash Claims 241 Lives; One Survivor Found
Tragic Air India Plane Crash Claims 241 Lives; One Survivor Found
A devastating crash in Ahmedabad, India, as an Air India flight crashes shortly after takeoff, resulting in numerous casualties.
The heartbreaking incident occurred when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a residential neighborhood, colliding with a hospital complex and a hostel catering to medical students. Among the 230 passengers and crew aboard was a lone survivor, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, who miraculously walked away from the wreckage.
The flight, designated AI171, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 PM local time and was scheduled to land at London Gatwick Airport at 6:25 PM BST. Tragically, the crash occurred just moments after takeoff, reportedly less than 30 seconds in, triggered by a mayday call that was made shortly after the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control.
The grim discovery of 204 bodies has been made so far, although it remains unclear how many were passengers from the plane versus individuals on the ground. Though reports confirm widespread debris across the crash site, officials warn that the death toll may increase as the situation unfolds.
Images gathered from the scene depict wreckage scattered over a broad area, with parts of the fuselage lodged into various buildings. Eyewitness accounts narrate the chaotic aftermath that hit the campus of Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College, where the aircraft struck a mess hall and several dormitory structures at lunchtime, leaving many students trapped.
In light of this tragedy, Air India’s parent company, Tata Group, has pledged 1 crore rupees (approximately £86,000) to each victim's family. Condolences have poured in from various officials, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, all expressing their support for affected families and commitments to the ongoing investigation.
As rescue operations continue and investigations begin, this incident marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India, further drawing attention to aviation safety protocols and crisis management in emergency situations.
The flight, designated AI171, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 PM local time and was scheduled to land at London Gatwick Airport at 6:25 PM BST. Tragically, the crash occurred just moments after takeoff, reportedly less than 30 seconds in, triggered by a mayday call that was made shortly after the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control.
The grim discovery of 204 bodies has been made so far, although it remains unclear how many were passengers from the plane versus individuals on the ground. Though reports confirm widespread debris across the crash site, officials warn that the death toll may increase as the situation unfolds.
Images gathered from the scene depict wreckage scattered over a broad area, with parts of the fuselage lodged into various buildings. Eyewitness accounts narrate the chaotic aftermath that hit the campus of Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College, where the aircraft struck a mess hall and several dormitory structures at lunchtime, leaving many students trapped.
In light of this tragedy, Air India’s parent company, Tata Group, has pledged 1 crore rupees (approximately £86,000) to each victim's family. Condolences have poured in from various officials, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, all expressing their support for affected families and commitments to the ongoing investigation.
As rescue operations continue and investigations begin, this incident marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India, further drawing attention to aviation safety protocols and crisis management in emergency situations.
