In a tragic aviation incident, over 290 lives were lost when an Air India flight destined for London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, marking one of the deadliest air disasters in a decade. With 242 individuals on board, the catastrophe unfolded as the aircraft, en route to Gatwick Airport, collided with a medical college hostel during the busy lunch hour.
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The devastation was not limited to passengers, as the impact resulted in casualties on the ground. “Approximately 294 have died, including several students residing in the building,” reported Vidhi Chaudhary, a senior police officer. Amid the tragedy, at least one passenger survived and recounted his horrifying experience to the media.
“Thirty seconds after takeoff, I heard a loud noise, and then the plane went down,” shared Ramesh Viswashkumar, who was fortunate enough to escape. Speaking from his hospital bed, he described scenes of chaos: “When I stood up, bodies were all around me. It happened so quickly and I was terrified. Someone pulled me into an ambulance.” His concern for his brother, who was seated elsewhere on the plane, was palpable as he pleaded for help in locating him.
The ill-fated flight comprised 217 adults, 11 children, and two infants, with 169 passengers of Indian nationality among them, as reported by Air India. Tragically, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, was also among the deceased.
In the aftermath, families were urged to provide DNA samples to assist in identifying the victims, highlighted by state health secretary Dhananjay Dwivedi. With parts of the aircraft strewn across a smoldering building, the devastation was evident, including the aircraft’s tail precariously perched atop the structure.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was noted for being among the most advanced passenger planes in operation. According to the Aviation Safety Network, this was its first reported crash since entering commercial service in 2011. Air India issued a statement, assuring the public that they were working to confirm details and provide updates. “The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals,” they confirmed.
Witnesses described the scene: “Within an hour, I received heartbreaking news that the plane had crashed,” said Poonam Patel, a relative of a passenger. A mother of a student at the medical college reported her son was safe after leaping from the second floor upon impact.
According to air traffic control, the aircraft took off just after 8 AM local time, issuing a “Mayday” signal shortly before losing contact. Notably, videos captured during the incident indicated that the landing gear was still deployed during what should have been a critical phase of flight, suggesting something was very wrong. As aviation consultant Anthony Brickhouse remarked, “If you didn’t know any better, you would think that plane was on approach to a runway.”
In light of this tragedy, British authorities have stated they are coordinating with Indian officials to gather information and extend support. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating, “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words.” Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled the images from the crash as “devastating.”
Gautam Adani, founder and chairman of the Adani Group, which operates Ahmedabad Airport, shared his sorrow on social media, saying, “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragedy of Air India Flight 171. Our hearts go out to the families who have suffered an unimaginable loss.”
This catastrophic event stands out not just as a significant loss of life, but as a stark reminder of the importance of safety in air travel. The last deadly aviation incident in India took place in 2020, involving an Air India Express flight that resulted in 21 fatalities.
As investigations continue, the global aviation community watches closely, united in mourning for the victims and supporting their families in this immensely difficult time.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
