A horrifying aviation tragedy struck India on Thursday as an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating flight AI171 bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 241 people and leaving one passenger miraculously alive.
The aircraft, carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers, two pilots, and 10 cabin crew, went down in a densely populated residential area, not far from a medical hostel and canteen, triggering widespread devastation on the ground.
Among those on board were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian.
In a shocking development, authorities confirmed that a single passenger survived the crash. Identified in some reports as a 38-year-old British national Ramesh Viswashkumar, the individual was said to be seated at 11A and escaped by jumping out of an emergency window before the aircraft exploded. However, conflicting reports say the survivor’s identity has not been officially released.
The survivor is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. His survival has been described as “miraculous” by rescue personnel.
Over 200 bodies have been recovered from the site, and DNA testing is being deployed to identify victims. Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) working alongside local authorities.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel have coordinated emergency responses, while Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, who visited the crash site, described the aftermath as “deeply distressing.”
The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced ₹1 crore compensation to the families of each victim. A helpline number, 1800 5691 444, has been activated to assist relatives.
