Ahmedabad |
In one of India’s worst aviation disasters, more than 100 people were killed on Thursday. Air India flight bound for London crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport. The aircraft, carrying 242 people including 10 crew members, went down in a residential area near the airport, leaving a trail of devastation.
The flight, headed for London’s Gatwick Airport, included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian, Air India confirmed.
Crash in Residential Area
According to police, the plane crashed into a doctors’ hostel building attached to B.J. Medical College in Ahmedabad.
“Over 100 burnt bodies have been recovered and sent to the local government hospital for post-mortem examination.”, police said. (source-reuters)
Visuals from the scene showed the tail of the aircraft lodged atop the building, with debris scattered across the area. Fire and rescue teams rushed to the site, battling flames and searching for survivors amid the rubble. The crash had affected the hostel’s dining area, where several medical students were present. Many were feared among the casualties.
Timeline of the Crash
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one of Air India’s newer aircraft, took off at 1:17 PM. Seconds after takeoff aircraft reportedly struggled, and witnesses saw it disappear behind buildings before a massive fireball and plume of smoke rose from the crash site.
Flightradar24 confirmed that it received the last signal from the aircraft moments after takeoff.
Witnesses described harrowing scenes. “My sister-in-law was on that plane. Within an hour, we heard it had crashed,” Poonam Patel, a relative of one passenger, (source-ANI)
Ramila, whose son is a medical student, said her son survived by jumping from the second floor of the hostel, sustaining injuries.
Aircraft Details & First Dreamliner Crash
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which first flew in 2013 and was delivered to Air India in January 2014. According to aviation safety experts, this marks the first-ever fatal crash involving a Dreamliner, which entered commercial service in 2011.
Major Indian Air Crashes
2020 | Air India Express Flight IX-1344 | Kozhikode
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Overshot the runway during landing in heavy rain.
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21 killed, over 100 injured.
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Boeing 737, Dubai–Kozhikode.
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Aircraft broke into two after falling off runway (table-top runway).
2010 | Air India Express Flight IX-812 | Mangalore
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Overshot runway while landing.
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158 killed out of 166 on board.
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Dubai–Mangalore flight.
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Landed beyond touchdown point, fell into a valley (table-top runway).
2000 | Alliance Air Flight 7412 | Patna
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Crashed during final approach due to technical failure and pilot error.
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60 killed (55 on board, 5 on the ground).
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Delhi–Patna flight.
1996 | Charkhi Dadri Mid-air Collision
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Saudi Arabian Airlines flight collided mid-air with Kazakhstan Airlines flight.
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349 killed — the deadliest mid-air collision in aviation history.
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Cause: communication failure and non-compliance with ATC instructions.
1993 | Indian Airlines Flight 491 | Aurangabad
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Crashed after takeoff due to hitting a truck on the highway near runway.
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55 killed out of 118 on board.
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Aurangabad–Mumbai flight.
1990 | Indian Airlines Flight 605 | Bangalore
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Crashed on approach due to pilot error and confusion over automation.
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92 killed out of 146 on board.
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Mumbai–Bangalore flight.
1988 | Indian Airlines Flight 113 | Ahmedabad
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Crashed during approach in fog; crew failed to see runway.
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133 killed out of 135 on board.
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Mumbai–Ahmedabad flight.
1978 | Air India Flight 855 | Mumbai
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Crashed into Arabian Sea shortly after takeoff due to instrument failure and pilot disorientation.
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All 213 on board killed.
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Mumbai–Dubai flight.
Survivor Rescued, Helpline Issued for Families
In a rare glimmer of hope, one survivor has been found amid the wreckage. Police said Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada, seated in 11A, was pulled out alive and is currently under treatment at a hospital.
Meanwhile, Dhananjay Dwivedi, Additional Chief Secretary, Gujarat Health and Family Welfare Department, announced that helpline numbers have been issued to assist families of passengers and the injured.
Civil Hospital Ahmedabad can be reached at 6357373831 and 6357373841 for any inquiries.
DNA testing arrangements have also been set up at B J Medical College to help identify victims.
“Families and close relatives, especially parents and children of passengers, are requested to submit DNA samples at the location to aid in swift identification,” Dwivedi added.
International Response & Investigation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose home state is Gujarat, has directed the Civil Aviation Ministry to ensure immediate rescue and relief efforts.
“The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words,” Modi posted on X.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the images “devastating” and confirmed that the UK Foreign Office is working with Indian authorities.
Operations & Airport Status
Ahmedabad Airport, operated by the Adani Group, temporarily suspended flights but has now resumed limited operations.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened. We are working closely with all authorities,” said Gautam Adani, founder of the Adani Group. ( Source-reuters)
Boeing said it is working to gather more information and will cooperate fully with investigations.
GE Aerospace, maker of the aircraft’s engines, will send a team to India to assist in analysing cockpit data.
