A tragic aviation disaster unfolded in Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff, killing more than 200 people. The flight, en route to London’s Gatwick Airport, went down in a residential area near the airport, making it one of the deadliest plane crashes in recent history.
Crash Site and Casualties
The aircraft, carrying 242 people—including 217 adults, 11 children, and 2 infants—crashed into the dining area of the BJ Medical College doctors’ hostel, resulting in mass casualties. Rescue teams have recovered 30 to 35 bodies so far, with many more feared trapped in the wreckage. Eyewitness accounts and visuals from the scene show flames and thick smoke billowing from the debris.
Authorities confirmed that at least 169 Indian nationals and 53 British citizens were on board, along with passengers from Portugal and Canada. Although initial reports suggested complete fatalities, police later confirmed that one passenger, a British-Indian man named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived the crash. Ramesh, now hospitalized with multiple injuries, described the horrific aftermath and his narrow escape.
Aircraft and Operational History
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, first delivered to Air India in 2014. This marks the first fatal crash involving the Dreamliner model, which began commercial operations in 2011. Aviation tracking sources confirmed the aircraft’s last recorded data before it disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff.
Government Response and Investigations
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it “heartbreaking beyond words.” He has ordered immediate support and aid for rescue operations. The Indian aviation minister’s office and emergency teams are coordinating relief efforts, while international bodies, including the UK Foreign Office, are assisting affected families.
Ahmedabad Airport has suspended all flights, and the Adani Group, which operates the airport, stated it is working closely with authorities to support relief efforts. Boeing has acknowledged the incident and is gathering further information.
Past Incidents and Airline Ownership
This is Air India’s deadliest crash since its merger with Vistara under the Tata Group in 2024. The last major accident involving the airline occurred in 2020, when an Air India Express flight overshot a runway in Kozhikode, resulting in 21 deaths.
