One Survivor Reported as Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad Kills 240
An Air India flight bound for London crashed after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 240 people in one of India’s worst air disasters. One passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived.
AHMEDABAD, India. (WE) — More than 240 people died on Thursday morning after an Air India passenger plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, a major city in western India. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was heading to London Gatwick Airport with 242 people on board, including crew. The plane struck a medical college building near the airport, causing massive destruction and one of the country’s deadliest aviation disasters in decades.
Officials confirmed that only one person, identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived the crash. The Indian government launched an immediate investigation, assisted by international aviation authorities. Early video footage shows the aircraft nosediving shortly after takeoff, then breaking apart in mid-air before bursting into flames.
What Happened?
Flight AI-117 took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at approximately 9:15 a.m. local time. Eyewitnesses reported a strange sound moments after liftoff. A video shared by local media showed the plane gaining altitude before sharply dipping and veering off course. Within minutes, it slammed into the B J Medical College compound.
The impact destroyed parts of the hostel and dining facility on campus. Five medical students died instantly, and nearly 50 others suffered serious injuries. Doctors at Civil Hospital Ahmedabad received over 186 bodies by mid-afternoon. Officials believe more were transported to other local hospitals.
According to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, the flight included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese passengers, and one Canadian. The airline has confirmed that two pilots and 10 crew members were among the deceased.
The Sole Survivor
The only known survivor, 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is a British citizen. He had lived in Leicester for over 20 years and was visiting family in India. He sat in seat 11A and, by a stroke of luck, was thrown clear of the fuselage during the crash.
A doctor at Civil Hospital, Dr. Dhaval Gameti, treated him. “He was disoriented and covered in blood. He had multiple injuries on his chest, face, and feet,” Dr. Gameti said. “But he was conscious and stable. He’s out of danger.”
Ramesh later told the Hindustan Times that everything happened within seconds. “I heard a loud boom and found myself surrounded by debris and bodies. Fear took over. Without thinking, I ran. Somehow, I made it out—but I still don’t know how.”
He contacted his family in Leicester shortly after reaching the hospital. His brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, said: “We were devastated. He said, ‘I have no idea how I exited the plane.’”
Family members say Ramesh had been traveling with his brother Ajay, whose fate remains unknown.
Ground Victims
The plane crashed into the dining hall and dormitory of B J Medical College, one of the largest government-run medical institutions in Gujarat. At least five students died on the spot. Many others suffered burns, broken bones, and other critical injuries.
A spokesperson from the Indian Medical Association said the damage was “catastrophic.” They confirmed 48 students and staff members are being treated for trauma-related injuries. One surgeon described the scene as a “war zone.”
The Gujarat state government has announced immediate financial assistance for the affected families and promised to rebuild the destroyed parts of the campus.
Official Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “Deeply anguished by the tragic crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives. Authorities are working on rescue and support operations.”
The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat, was on board and among the deceased. Rupani, 68, served from 2016 to 2021 and was traveling to London for a conference.
The Tata Group, which owns Air India, said in a statement that it would provide financial compensation of ₹90 lakh (approximately £85,000) to the families of each deceased passenger. Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran added that the company would cover all medical expenses and support rebuilding efforts at B J Medical College.
Air India has also organized two special relief flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Ahmedabad to transport relatives and staff.
Read More:
- US Moves to Evacuate Embassy Staff Amid Rising Middle East Tensions, Signals Hard Line Against Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions
- South Africa Flood Disaster: Death Toll Rises to 49 as Eastern Cape Battles Worst Weather in Years
- South Korea Silences Border Loudspeakers in First Step Toward Easing Tensions with North Korea
Investigations Begin
The cause of the crash remains unknown. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a formal investigation, and international aviation authorities have joined the probe.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States has dispatched a team to India. As the crash involved a Boeing aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing are also assisting.
Former crash investigator Tim Atkinson told BBC News: “It’s too early to rule anything out. Everything is on the table, from mechanical failure to external impacts like bird strikes.”
Indian aviation analyst Saurabh Bhatnagar said early footage suggests the engines might have failed. “It looks like both engines lost power after takeoff, possibly due to multiple bird hits,” he told NDTV.
Bird strikes have previously caused engine failures in commercial flights. A large flock can severely damage turbines, especially if the plane is still gaining altitude.
Black Boxes and Crash Site
Search teams are combing through the debris for the aircraft’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, commonly referred to as black boxes. According to Dr. Hassan Shahidi, President of the Flight Safety Foundation, these devices are built to survive high-impact crashes.
“Once recovered, it will take about a month to decode and analyze the data,” Shahidi told Yahoo News. “These boxes are crucial to understanding what went wrong.”
Boeing confirmed the aircraft involved was delivered in 2021 and had undergone scheduled maintenance earlier this year. The crash marks the first fatal incident involving the 787 model since it entered commercial service in 2009.
Reactions from Abroad
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the U.K. is in close contact with Indian authorities. “This is a deeply distressing event,” his spokesperson said. “Our thoughts are with the British nationals affected.”
The Gloucester Muslim Community posted a tribute on Facebook confirming that three of their members—Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa, and their four-year-old daughter Sara—died in the crash.
“They were diamonds of our community,” the post read. “May their memories bring strength, and may they rest in eternal peace.”
The Canadian High Commission in India also confirmed the death of one Canadian citizen.
Portuguese officials in Lisbon issued a statement of condolence and said they are in contact with Indian counterparts to assist in repatriation efforts for their seven deceased nationals.
Community Response
Residents of Ahmedabad poured into blood donation centers after local hospitals issued urgent requests. Volunteers helped rescue workers at the crash site, while local businesses distributed water and food.
The Indian Red Cross Society dispatched trauma counselors to both the crash site and the city’s hospitals. “This is a massive emotional burden for the families,” said field officer Neha Joshi. “Our teams are working around the clock.”
Boeing Under Scrutiny
The crash adds to a series of challenges facing Boeing. The company is already under investigation for previous incidents involving its 737 MAX series. Though the 787 has had a strong safety record until now, scrutiny has intensified.
Boeing’s stock dropped 5% in premarket trading after the news broke. Company officials have pledged full cooperation with investigators.
“We are deeply saddened,” Boeing said in a statement. “We are working with Air India and authorities to support the ongoing investigation.”
Looking Ahead
As night fell in Ahmedabad, recovery operations continued under floodlights. The local government declared a day of mourning and canceled public events.
The Air India crash marks a devastating moment in modern Indian aviation history. As questions remain about how a modern, well-maintained aircraft could fail so catastrophically, the world watches closely for answers. For the families, communities, and one lone survivor, the road to healing has only just begun.
