AHMEDABAD — In one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in recent years, an Air India flight en route to London crashed moments after taking off from Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of more than 200 people, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The ill-fated Flight 171, carrying 242 individuals, including crew, plummeted into a residential neighborhood shortly after its departure at 1:39 PM local time from runway 23. The aircraft reportedly issued a distress signal before all contact was lost. The incident has been described as the worst global aviation disaster in a decade.
Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 from the United Kingdom, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. The aircraft had two pilots and 10 cabin crew members on board.
Fiery Crash Site Near Medical Hostel
Eyewitness videos circulating online captured the aircraft flying low over a residential area before vanishing behind buildings. Moments later, a large explosion erupted, sending flames and black smoke billowing into the sky. The plane struck the dining block of B.J. Medical College’s hostel, causing significant casualties on the ground as well.
City Police Commissioner G.S. Malik reported that 204 bodies had been recovered so far. “There could be both passengers and people who were on the ground among the dead,” he said.
Miraculous Survival
Amid the devastation, one survivor has emerged — a UK national identified by local media as Ramesh Viswashkumar. Seated in 11A, the 40-year-old recounted the horrifying experience from his hospital bed. “There was a loud noise seconds after takeoff, and then everything went dark,” he told the Hindustan Times. “When I regained consciousness, I was surrounded by wreckage and flames.”
Viswashkumar is reportedly searching for his brother, Ajay, who was on the same flight but seated separately. “I don’t know where he is. Please help me find him,” he pleaded.
Family members of Viswashkumar, who resides in Leicester with his wife and child, are awaiting updates from Indian authorities.
Immediate Response and Global Attention
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those confirmed dead, said federal minister C.R. Patil. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hails from Gujarat, has directed all relevant agencies to provide full support to rescue and relief efforts.
Ahmedabad Airport suspended all operations temporarily following the crash but has since resumed limited services. The airport is managed by the Adani Group.
This is India’s first fatal airline crash since 2020, when an Air India Express flight crash-landed in Kerala. India is currently the world’s third-largest aviation market.
Compensation and Support
Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran announced a compensation package of ₹10 million (approximately $117,000) for the families of each victim. The company will also cover medical expenses for the injured and assist in rebuilding the affected medical hostel.
Investigation Underway
The crashed aircraft was identified as a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner — the first such incident involving this model since it entered service in 2011. The plane involved was delivered to Air India in early 2014 and had its first flight in 2013.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed that a team will be sent to India to assist in the investigation. The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has also offered its support, as several British citizens were among the passengers.
Under international aviation protocols, the investigation will be led by Indian authorities, though U.S. and UK experts will hold advisory roles.
Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, expressed condolences and stated it was gathering information. Following the crash, Boeing’s shares dropped by 5%, dealing another blow to the company already under pressure from previous safety and production issues.
GE Aerospace, the engine manufacturer, also announced plans to send a technical team to India to analyze flight data, according to reports from CNBC-TV18.
