Key Details Emerge Following Air India Flight from Ahmedabad to London

An Air India passenger plane tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, en route to London Gatwick, resulting in the deaths of 241 individuals, including passengers and crew. The sole survivor, a British man, has been hospitalized. The incident has raised concerns about potential casualties on the ground, as the aircraft crashed into a residential area, leading to a significant emergency response.
Details of the Crash
Air India flight AI171 departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT) and was scheduled to land at London Gatwick at 18:25 BST. The plane lost signal less than a minute after takeoff, with flight tracking data indicating it was at an altitude of 625 feet when contact was lost. The aircraft issued a mayday call to air traffic control, but no further communication was received before it crashed into the Meghani Nagar residential area. Following the incident, all airport operations in Ahmedabad were suspended.
Impact on Local Infrastructure
The crash site included a building used as accommodation for doctors at the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital. Eyewitness accounts described scenes of chaos, with people attempting to rescue those trapped in the building. A woman reported that her son jumped from the second floor to escape the flames. Verified footage showed large plumes of black smoke rising from the crash site, prompting emergency services to engage in rescue operations. Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the loss of many lives, while Air India acknowledged the tragic event, stating that all 241 individuals on board had perished.
Passenger Demographics and Survivor Accounts
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 242 individuals, including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, one Canadian, and 12 crew members. The sole survivor, identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, was seated in 11A and described hearing a loud noise shortly after takeoff before the plane crashed. His family in Leicester confirmed he was safe but expressed concern for his brother, who was also on the flight. The crash has deeply affected communities in the UK, with several families reporting missing relatives. Air India has activated an emergency center to assist families seeking information about their loved ones.
Reactions and Investigations
In the wake of the crash, Air India expressed its condolences and confirmed cooperation with investigative authorities. The airlineโs chairman announced a compensation of 1 crore rupees (approximately ยฃ86,000) for the families of those who lost their lives. Indiaโs aviation minister directed emergency response agencies to act swiftly, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragedy. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy also extended their sympathies and pledged support for affected families. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash, with preliminary assessments suggesting potential issues with the aircraftโs wing flaps during takeoff.
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