A tragic aviation disaster unfolded in Ahmedabad on Thursday when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Flight AI 171, crashed into a medical college hostel shortly after takeoff, claiming the lives of over 240 individuals. The London-bound aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, went down in the Meghaninagar area, a densely populated residential zone, causing widespread devastation and a profound loss of life.
The incident, which occurred around 1:30 PM local time, saw the 12-year-old Dreamliner lose altitude swiftly after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud noise, followed by the aircraft striking the residential quarters of BJ Medical College doctors and bursting into a catastrophic fireball. Plumes of thick black smoke billowed into the sky, visible for miles, as emergency services rushed to the scene of unimaginable destruction.
Initial reports indicate that 241 of the 242 individuals on board the flight perished in the crash. The sole survivor from the aircraft has been identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, an Indian-origin British national. He was found in seat 11A and was subsequently admitted to a local hospital with multiple injuries but is reported to be out of danger. Ramesh reportedly told medics that the plane began descending and suddenly split in two shortly after takeoff, ejecting him before a loud explosion.
The impact on the ground was equally devastating. The plane crashed directly into the dining hall of the medical college hostel, where many MBBS students and resident doctors were having lunch. While an exact count of ground casualties is still being finalized, officials have confirmed that at least five medical students, a PG resident doctor, and a doctor’s wife were among those killed. Dozens of others on the ground sustained injuries, many with severe burns, and have been admitted to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Some students remain unaccounted for, and fears persist that more individuals may be buried in the debris.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound sorrow, stating on social media, “We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words.” He visited the crash site and met with some of the injured at the hospital, extending his condolences to the bereaved families.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a formal investigation into the crash, in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed the probe and stated that a team from the United States, including experts from the National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, and General Electric, is expected to arrive in India to assist.
Preliminary investigations are focusing on various possibilities, including potential mechanical failures. Former pilot Terry Tozer noted alarming video footage suggesting that the aircraft’s flaps may not have deployed properly during takeoff, a critical element for flight. The black boxes – the flight data and cockpit voice recorders – are being diligently searched for, as they hold crucial clues to understanding the final moments of Flight AI 171.
The crash marks a somber moment for India’s aviation history and the global aviation community, as it is reportedly the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in its 16 years of operation, despite the aircraft’s generally strong safety record. Air India has released dedicated hotline numbers for families seeking information about the incident.
The identification of victims is ongoing, with medics conducting DNA tests due to the severe nature of the burns sustained by many of the deceased. Families are gathering at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, awaiting news of their loved ones amidst the overwhelming tragedy. The city of Ahmedabad and the entire nation mourn the immense loss, grappling with the aftermath of one of India’s most catastrophic aviation accidents.