Ahmedabad: An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (AI171) carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, leaving over 200 people dead in what is being described as one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory, according to a report by Reuters.
The London-bound aircraft burst into flames upon impact, with rescue teams struggling to locate survivors amid the charred wreckage.
Among the fatalities was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, 68, a two-term leader who served from 2016 to 2021 and was currently overseeing BJP affairs in Punjab.
“This is an immensely tragic incident,” said Union Minister C.R. Paatil. “We have lost a respected leader and a cherished member of the BJP family. My heart goes out to all the victims and their families during this unbearable time.”
While most onboard perished, authorities confirmed one miraculous survival.
Vishwaskumar Ramesh, a passenger seated in ‘A11,’ was pulled alive from the wreckage and is now recovering in Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.
Ramesh, who was traveling with his brother, recounted hearing a loud noise moments after takeoff.
The crash also inflicted damage on the nearby city civil hospital and BJ Medical College.
Reports suggest that up to 25 fatalities may have occurred within the medical complex due to the impact.
In a gesture of solidarity, Tata Group, Air India’s parent company, announced a comprehensive aid package.
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“We are deeply anguished by this tragic event. Tata Group will provide Rs. 1 crore to each victim’s family and cover medical expenses for the injured. We will also assist in rebuilding the BJ Medical hostel,” said N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Group, in a statement.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with officials working to assess the full scale of the disaster and its repercussions.
Meanwhile, grieving families and communities await answers, as investigations continue into the cause of this catastrophic crash.
