Deadly Air India Plane Crash Claims 241 Lives in Ahmedabad



A devastating tragedy struck western India on Thursday when Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed into a densely populated residential neighborhood in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff, killing at least 241 people and leaving just one survivor.


Catastrophe Unfolds Minutes After Departure

The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew—including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian—departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time. Mere minutes after takeoff, the plane issued a Mayday call before plunging into the Meghani Nagar area, striking a medical college hostel and nearby buildings. The impact unleashed a fireball and thick black smoke, visible for miles, as the fully fueled jet ignited on contact.


Scenes of Chaos and Heroic Rescue Efforts

Eyewitnesses described a harrowing scene: a thunderous explosion, flames engulfing the crash site, and frantic efforts by emergency responders and local residents to rescue survivors. Ambulances and fire crews rushed to the area, but the intensity of the blaze and the scale of destruction left little hope. Rescue teams worked through the night to recover bodies and aid the injured, while authorities warned that the death toll could rise as recovery operations continued.


The Sole Survivor

Remarkably, one passenger, Ramesh Viswashkumar—a British citizen of Indian descent-survived the disaster. Seated near an emergency exit, Viswashkumar managed to escape by leaping out of the aircraft moments after the crash. He was found bloodied and dazed, later recounting the horror of waking up surrounded by bodies and fleeing the wreckage before being rushed to a hospital. His brother, also on the flight, remains unaccounted for.


Victims on the Ground

The crash’s location—within a medical campus—meant that, in addition to those on board, several people on the ground, including students at the medical hostel, were killed or injured. Hospitals in Ahmedabad have admitted dozens of casualties, and authorities are conducting DNA tests to identify the victims.


Investigation Underway

The cause of the crash remains unknown. Indian civil aviation authorities confirmed that the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly after issuing a distress signal. Video footage and flight data indicate the plane reached an altitude of just 625 feet before rapidly descending. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Air India have launched a full investigation, with international aviation experts expected to assist.


National Mourning and Global Response

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow, calling the disaster a "tragedy that has stunned and saddened us," and extended condolences to the families of the victims. Air India, operated by the Tata Group, pledged full support to emergency teams and affected families. The UK Foreign Office is working closely with Indian authorities to assist British nationals impacted by the tragedy.


A Dark Day in Aviation

This crash is one of the deadliest in Indian aviation history and marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the model’s introduction in 2009. The incident has reignited concerns about air safety and the challenges of responding to large-scale disasters in densely populated urban areas.


As the nation mourns, investigators face the daunting task of piecing together the final moments of Flight 171 and ensuring such a tragedy is never repeated.

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