The Air India Flight AI171 was en route to London when it tragically crashed shortly after take-off, resulting in one of India's deadliest aviation disasters with a toll of at least 241 lives lost.
**Tragedy Strikes as Air India Plane Crashes, Claiming 241 Lives; One Survivor Emerges**
**Tragedy Strikes as Air India Plane Crashes, Claiming 241 Lives; One Survivor Emerges**
A devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad leaves only one passenger alive and raises questions about aviation safety.
In a shocking accident on Thursday, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, tragically crashed just minutes after leaving Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, en route to London's Gatwick Airport. The catastrophe claimed at least 241 lives, comprising 230 passengers and 12 crew members, with most casualties on board but also affecting individuals on the ground, including a medical complex it crashed into.
The sole survivor, British passenger Vishwashkumar Ramesh, seated in 11A, managed to escape the horrific accident and was seen limping towards medics with smoke billowing in the air. He described hearing a loud noise soon after take-off, culminating in chaos as the aircraft lost altitude and crashed into a residential area.
Officials reported that 204 bodies have already been recovered, but the complete casualty count remains uncertain, and the death toll is expected to increase as search operations continue. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene with debris scattered across the residential area where the plane struck.
The incident marks the first fatal crash of a Dreamliner aircraft since its introduction in 2011, leading to an investigation by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, with support from U.S. and British officials. Authorities confirmed that a mayday call was issued just seconds after departing, but contact was lost soon after.
The crash site also impacted the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College campus, where several students were reported injured, with many being rescued from a hostel that the aircraft struck. Gujarat's Additional Chief Secretary for Health noted the chaos experienced in the aftermath, with several students trapped amid thick smoke.
In response to the tragedy, Tata Group, Air India's parent company, pledged financial support to the victims' families, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound sadness over the incident. Leaders from Canada and the UK have also sent their condolences and pledged to aid affected families, indicating a joined effort in addressing the aftermath of this heartbreaking disaster.
The sole survivor, British passenger Vishwashkumar Ramesh, seated in 11A, managed to escape the horrific accident and was seen limping towards medics with smoke billowing in the air. He described hearing a loud noise soon after take-off, culminating in chaos as the aircraft lost altitude and crashed into a residential area.
Officials reported that 204 bodies have already been recovered, but the complete casualty count remains uncertain, and the death toll is expected to increase as search operations continue. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene with debris scattered across the residential area where the plane struck.
The incident marks the first fatal crash of a Dreamliner aircraft since its introduction in 2011, leading to an investigation by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, with support from U.S. and British officials. Authorities confirmed that a mayday call was issued just seconds after departing, but contact was lost soon after.
The crash site also impacted the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College campus, where several students were reported injured, with many being rescued from a hostel that the aircraft struck. Gujarat's Additional Chief Secretary for Health noted the chaos experienced in the aftermath, with several students trapped amid thick smoke.
In response to the tragedy, Tata Group, Air India's parent company, pledged financial support to the victims' families, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound sadness over the incident. Leaders from Canada and the UK have also sent their condolences and pledged to aid affected families, indicating a joined effort in addressing the aftermath of this heartbreaking disaster.
