AHMEDABAD: At least 265 people have died in one of the deadliest aviation disasters in over a decade, after an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, bound for London. Only one person survived the crash.
Flight AI171, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, went down minutes after departure on Thursday, crashing into a residential building used as a hostel for medical staff and students. Officials confirmed that 241 people on board were killed, along with at least 24 individuals on the ground.
According to India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the aircraft issued a mayday call and lost altitude rapidly before crashing around 1:40 p.m. local time (0810 GMT).
Sole Survivor, International Victims
The only survivor, Viswashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, is currently receiving treatment in hospital. Authorities say his condition is stable.
The flight included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and a full Indian flight crew.
Among the deceased was Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat, the state where the crash occurred.
Scene of Devastation
Witnesses described harrowing scenes as the jet exploded on impact in a dense neighborhood near Ghoda Camp, Ahmedabad, a city of 8 million people.
“We saw people jumping from second and third floors to escape the flames,” said a local resident. Videos shared online showed the aircraft losing altitude, nose-up, before slamming into the building and erupting in flames.
An eyewitness, Dr. Krishna, reported that the plane’s front section crashed directly into a canteen where students were having lunch, resulting in multiple fatalities. “I saw at least 15–20 charred bodies,” he said, adding that he and colleagues rescued around 15 students.
Government and Airline Response
Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the crash site, stated that intense heat from the fuel blaze left “no chance” for rescue. He said DNA tests would be used to confirm final victim counts.
Air India, owned by the Tata Group, expressed its condolences and pledged INR 10 million ($116,863) in compensation to each victim’s family, along with medical support for the injured and rebuilding assistance for the destroyed hostel.
Investigation Underway
A formal probe has been launched by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Boeing, along with US and UK safety agencies, is assisting in the investigation. This incident marks the first-ever crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a wide-body aircraft designed for long-haul flights, capable of carrying up to 330 passengers.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said the company was “deeply saddened” and committed to supporting the inquiry.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but early indicators suggest a catastrophic technical failure shortly after takeoff.
