Air India plane crashes after takeoff in Ahmedabad; airline confirms 1 survivor
An Air India passenger plane carrying over 200 people crashed on Thursday after taking off from an airport in the Indian city of Ahmedabad. The airline has confirmed that there was one survivor, despite earlier reports indicating that there were none.
The flight, AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner headed for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar just five minutes after takeoff at 1:38 p.m. local time. There were 242 passengers and crew members on board the ill-fated flight.
Rescue teams found at least one survivor, identified as Ramesh Viswashkumar, who was seated in 11A next to an emergency exit on the plane. Viswashkumar recounted the harrowing experience, saying, “Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.” He added, “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me.”
The cause of the crash remains unclear, with videos circulating on social media showing the plane descending slowly with its nose raised before bursting into flames upon impact. The airline confirmed that the 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in 241 confirmed fatalities and one survivor.
Air India expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and announced that a team of caregivers is providing support to those affected. The passengers aboard the plane were predominantly Indian nationals, along with passengers from Britain, Portugal, and Canada.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragedy, stating, “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed his condolences, calling the incident heartbreaking.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is in contact with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the crash, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the disaster. Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft, stated that they are ready to support Air India and all those affected by the tragedy.
This marks the first crash of a Boeing 787 aircraft, a widebody, twin-engine plane introduced in 2009. Efforts are underway to provide medical aid and relief support at the crash site, with rescue teams mobilized to assist in the aftermath of the tragic event.
The aviation community stands in solidarity with Air India and the families of the victims during this difficult time. The investigation into the crash continues as authorities work to determine the circumstances that led to the tragic incident.
