A tragic aviation disaster unfolded in India on Thursday when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, resulting in 241 fatalities and one miraculous survivor.
The ill-fated aircraft was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers, two pilots, and 10 cabin crew members, when it went down in a densely populated residential area near a medical hostel and canteen, causing widespread destruction on the ground.
According to official reports, the passengers on board included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian.
One Survivor Found Amid Devastation
In a shocking and rare turn of events, emergency teams confirmed that one passenger survived the deadly crash. Unconfirmed reports have identified the survivor as Ramesh Viswashkumar, a 38-year-old British national, who was reportedly seated in seat 11A. He allegedly managed to escape through an emergency window moments before the aircraft exploded.
However, authorities have not yet officially released the survivor’s identity. The individual is currently being treated at an undisclosed hospital, with medical personnel calling the survival “nothing short of miraculous.”
Recovery and Rescue Efforts
So far, over 200 bodies have been recovered from the crash site. DNA testing is underway to confirm the identities of the victims. Rescue operations continue, led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local emergency teams.
Top government officials, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, are actively coordinating the emergency response. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, who personally visited the site, described the scene as “deeply distressing.”
Air India and Tata Group Responds
In response to the tragedy, the Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced a compensation package of ₹1 crore for the family of each deceased passenger. A helpline number, 1800 5691 444, has also been activated to assist affected families and relatives.
The Air India Flight AI171 crash is now one of the deadliest aviation incidents in India’s recent history. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash, as the nation mourns this heartbreaking loss.
