In one of the worst aviation tragedies in recent history, an Air India flight bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 242 people — 230 passengers and 12 crew members. 241 were confirmed dead, while a single survivor, British-Indian national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was rescued from the wreckage. This marks the deadliest aviation accident globally in over a decade.
Flight Lost Contact Moments After Takeoff
According to flight-tracking website Flightradar24, the aircraft lost signal less than a minute after takeoff at 1:38 p.m. local time. Ahmedabad air traffic control confirmed that a “Mayday” emergency signal was issued, but no further communication followed. The plane reportedly reached only 600 feet in altitude before crashing.
The aircraft went down in a densely populated area, slamming into a doctors’ hostel at the Gujarat Medical College campus just outside the airport perimeter. The impact caused a massive fire and extensive structural damage. Police chief GS Malik confirmed to Reuters that “241 bodies had been recovered” from the site.
Lone Survivor
Amid the devastation, officials confirmed that Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British-Indian passenger seated in 11A, survived the crash. He was rescued with injuries to his chest, eyes, and feet and is in stable condition at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital.
From his hospital bed, Ramesh recalled the traumatic moment: “Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” he said, as reported by CNN.
First Crash Involving a Boeing 787
This incident marks the first-ever fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, as confirmed by the Aviation Safety Network and reported by The Guardian and Al Jazeera. While the Dreamliner family has previously faced technical issues and battery-related incidents, it had maintained a strong safety record until now.
Nationalities of the Passengers
According to multiple credible sources, including The Guardian and Al Jazeera, among the 242 individuals on board were:
- 169 Indian nationals
- 53 British nationals
- 7 Portuguese
- 1 Canadian
The nationalities of the remaining 12 passengers have not yet been officially disclosed.
Rescue Operations and Identification Efforts
Footage broadcast by Al Jazeera and NDTV showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the crash site as emergency services rushed to extinguish fires and recover bodies. The doctors’ hostel and surrounding buildings were heavily damaged.
A senior police official told The Indian Express that around 70 to 80 percent of the crash zone had been cleared, with efforts continuing. DNA samples are being collected from the victims’ families to aid identification, a process that officials say could take weeks, according to State Health Secretary Dhananjay Dwivedi.
Reactions from Air India and Boeing
Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said:
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.”
The airline has activated emergency response centers, deployed family support teams, and established a dedicated hotline: 1800 5691 444.
Boeing issued a statement:
“Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders, and all affected. We are in contact with Air India and are supporting the investigation.”
GE Aerospace, which manufactures the engines for the 787, also released a statement expressing sorrow and confirming that its emergency response team is assisting with the investigation.
Global Leaders Express Condolences
Reactions poured in from across the world:
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us… heartbreaking beyond words.”
- President Droupadi Murmu: “It is a heart-rending disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected people.”
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “My thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.”
- King Charles: “Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected.”
- Former Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif: “This devastating loss transcends borders and reminds us of our shared humanity.”
- Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim: “We share in India’s sorrow and stand in full solidarity.”
- Canadian PM Justin Trudeau: “We mourn alongside India and extend our support to all families impacted.”
Impact on Boeing and the Aviation Sector
Following the crash, Boeing’s stock dropped 8% in premarket trading. Suppliers such as Spirit AeroSystems and GE Aerospace also saw shares fall by around 4%. Market analyst Chris Beauchamp told CNBC that the accident reignites concerns about Boeing’s ongoing safety and quality issues.
India’s Aviation History and Outlook
This crash is India’s deadliest since 1996, when two planes collided mid-air near New Delhi, killing 349 people. Other major aviation disasters in India include:
- 2020: Air India Express crash in Kozhikode — 21 dead
- 2010: Air India Express crash in Mangalore — 158 dead
- 1985: Air India Boeing 747 bombed off the coast of Ireland — 329 dead
Despite past incidents, India’s aviation industry has expanded rapidly. It became the world’s fourth-largest air market last year and is expected to become the third-largest within a decade. Air India is undergoing major expansion, including a 2023 order for 470 new aircraft.
Investigation Underway
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is leading the investigation, working with Boeing, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and other international agencies. The aircraft’s black boxes have been recovered and are being analyzed.
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