An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport on Thursday, leading to the tragic loss of 241 lives. The sole survivor, a British national of Indian origin, was found near an emergency exit and has since been hospitalized. The incident has drawn significant attention from both Indian and British authorities, who have expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims.
According to the airline’s statement, the crash occurred at 1:38 p.m. local time, with the aircraft hitting a residential area called Meghani Nagar. The survivor, identified as Ramesh Viswashkumar, managed to escape with minimal injuries and later contacted family members from the hospital. He described the crash as a sudden and chaotic event, with the plane descending quickly and bursting into a fireball.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with possible factors including a dual-engine bird strike or an issue with the wing flaps. The plane was reportedly just 400 feet off the ground when both engines lost power, leading to a fatal crash. The pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, issued a mayday call seconds before the crash, expressing his inability to maintain power.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have both expressed their condolences, highlighting the international significance of the tragedy. The incident has also prompted discussions about aviation safety and the need for further investigations into the possible causes of the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are involved in the investigation, with Boeing providing technical support to Air India.
Following the crash, rescue teams have been mobilized to the site to assist in recovery efforts and provide medical aid. The Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has confirmed that all efforts are being made to ensure relief support at the crash site. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, is a widebody, twin-engine plane and marks the first crash ever recorded for this model, according to the Aviation Safety Network.
As the investigation continues, the airline has stated that their primary focus is on supporting the affected families and providing all necessary assistance. The tragic incident has left a profound impact on the international community, with ongoing efforts to uncover the cause of the crash and provide support to those affected.