More than 260 people have died after Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon. Authorities now confirm at least 269 fatalities, including 241 onboard the aircraft and 28 on the ground, making this the worst aviation disaster worldwide in over a decade.
The aircraft collided with a hostel at B.J. Medical College, triggering a massive blaze during lunch hour. Debris was scattered across the site, and the tail end of the plane remained embedded in the building.
One Miracle Survivor
A 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated in 11A, emerged as the sole survivor, sustaining minor injuries. He described a sudden loud noise followed by chaos. “When I got up, there were bodies all around me… someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance,” he told the Hindustan Times.
Authorities are continuing to verify whether additional survivors may be hospitalized.
Nationalities and Casualties
The flight carried 242 people—230 passengers and 12 crew—including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and one Canadian. Ground casualties include medical college students and staff; at least 28 have died, and 60 others are injured.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also confirmed among the deceased.
Crash Timeline and Possible Technical Issues
The jet departed at 1:39 p.m. local time (08:09 GMT). A Mayday call followed swiftly, but communication was lost within seconds. Data shows the plane climbed just 625 feet before crashing.
Experts noted the landing gear was still down during ascent, a critical misconfiguration. Videos suggest the aircraft resembled a landing approach rather than taking off. There were also unverified reports of electrical issues earlier that day.
Formal Investigation Launched
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is leading the probe. Experts from Boeing, GE Aerospace, the U.S. NTSB, and the FAA have joined the investigation. Recovery teams, including NDRF, CISF, NSG, and others, are searching for the flight-data and cockpit voice recorders.
Modi Visits Crash Site and Hospital
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a native of Gujarat, visited the crash site and nearby Civil Hospital on Friday morning. He met rescue workers and survivors, saying the scenes of “devastation were saddening,” and expressed support for the “tirelessly” working officials.
Global and Domestic Response
Indian PM Modi tweeted: “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words.” UK PM Keir Starmer described the scenes as “devastating,” while King Charles and President Trump conveyed their sympathies.
India’s Health Secretary announced DNA sampling to help identify victims. The airport has resumed limited operations following the suspension of air traffic.
Industry and Corporate Response
This crash marks the first fatal incident for the Boeing 787 in over 16 years of its service. Boeing CEO canceled his attendance at the upcoming Paris Air Show and the company has dispatched investigation teams to India. GE Aerospace also is sending a technical team, supported by the FAA.
What Happens Next
Investigators will analyze wreckage, black box data, maintenance logs, and crew actions. Authorities expect the probe to extend into the coming months, with conclusions likely reaching multiple factors including thrust anomalies, equipment malfunction, and crew response.
