Ahmedabad: In one of the worst aviation disasters in India’s recent history, Air India Flight AI171 crashed just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 265 people. The ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was en route to London Gatwick when it plunged into a residential area near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
Tragically, of the 242 people on board, only one survived—Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, who miraculously escaped through the emergency exit. The crash also claimed the lives of five people on the ground, as the aircraft tore through buildings in the densely populated Meghani Nagar area.
Among the deceased were four MBBS students and the wife of a local doctor, authorities confirmed. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also among the victims. Ranjitha G. Nair, a nurse from Pathanamthitta, Kerala working in the UK, was another confirmed fatality.
The aircraft’s black box has been recovered, offering hope for clarity on the cause of the crash. Investigators say the pilots sent a distress signal just moments after takeoff. However, contact was lost shortly after the plane reached an altitude of 625 feet—only 32 seconds into the flight.
The jet crashed directly into the hostel mess building of B.J. Medical College, sparking a massive blaze. The aircraft’s tail lodged into the structure while the front section exploded on impact with a nearby building, which was completely destroyed.
Among the 230 passengers were 169 Indian nationals and 61 foreigners, including 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian. There were also 11 children on board, including two infants. The 12-member crew included two pilots and 10 cabin crew.
At least 11 injured individuals remain hospitalized, while several people are still reported missing. Authorities fear the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue and hospitalizations are monitored.
The Meghani Nagar neighborhood has suffered widespread destruction, and the nation mourns as families across India and abroad come to terms with the immense loss.
