Tragic Air India Flight Crash Claims 241 Lives Near Ahmedabad

Devastating Incident After Takeoff

On Thursday, an Air India flight heading to London tragically crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad, resulting in the loss of 241 lives, as confirmed by the airline on Friday.

Among the 230 passengers, only one individual survived and is currently receiving medical care. This survivor has been identified as Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian descent.

All 12 crew members aboard the flight perished in the incident.

The passenger list included 169 Indian citizens, 53 British nationals, seven from Portugal, and one Canadian.

The aircraft collided with a hostel building at BJ Medical College in the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad, leading to the deaths of at least four medical students on the ground, according to reports.

While some sources indicated that at least 24 individuals, including the four students, lost their lives, others reported that the death toll could be as high as 28, as stated by a police officer.

Dr. Minakshi Parikh, the dean of the medical college, mentioned that two additional medical students are unaccounted for, and 20 others sustained injuries, with five in critical condition.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which was on its way to Gatwick Airport in London, crashed just 33 seconds after takeoff, marking it as one of the most catastrophic aviation disasters in recent years.

Just before the crash, the flight captain issued a Mayday call to air traffic control, after which communication was lost.

Reports indicate that the aircraft was fully fueled at takeoff, resulting in a significant explosion upon impact, with thick black smoke rising from the wreckage approximately 3 kilometers from the airport.

Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu announced on social media that an investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, adhering to international aviation safety protocols.

A high-level committee of experts will also be formed to review the incident and improve aviation safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Flight data revealed that the aircraft reached an altitude of 625 feet before descending rapidly and crashing into a residential area.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that the flight was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 hours.