A passenger plane carrying over 200 individuals crashed on Thursday shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India. Initial reports suggested no survivors, but authorities have since confirmed at least one.
Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner headed to London Gatwick, went down in the Meghani Nagar residential area at 1:38 p.m. local time, just five minutes after departure. The flight manifest listed 242 passengers and crew.
State police officer Vidhi Chaudhary stated that first responders located at least one survivor, Ramesh Viswashkumar, who was seated in 11A near an emergency exit.
Viswashkumar reportedly told the Hindustan Times, “There was a loud noise thirty seconds after takeoff, and then the plane crashed. It was all so fast.”
Reuters quoted the 40-year-old as saying, “When I woke up, there were bodies everywhere. I was terrified. I got up and ran. Pieces of the plane were scattered all around.” He added, “Someone helped me into an ambulance and took me to the hospital.”
posted an image verifying Viswashkumar’s boarding pass details, including his name, seat number, and the June 12th Ahmedabad departure date.
Chaudhary informed Reuters that the death toll is approximately 294, including students residing in the building struck by the plane.
The Associated Press, citing a hospital doctor who spoke to the Press Trust of India, also reported at least one survivor but noted independent verification was pending.
Viswashkumar’s relatives confirmed they have communicated with him following the crash. He is reportedly a London resident.
Earlier, Ahmedabad’s police commissioner, G.S. Malik, told the AP that there appeared to be no survivors.
The cause of the crash remains unknown. Social media videos allegedly depicting the incident show the plane ascending with its nose pointing upward before gradually descending and erupting into flames upon impact.
Local media showed smoke rising from the crash site near the airport in northwest India. reportedly, the plane issued a “mayday” call to air traffic control before crashing.
Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran stated, “It is with deep regret that I confirm Air India Flight 171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families and loved ones of everyone affected by this devastating event.”
Chandrasekaran added, “Our immediate priority is supporting the affected individuals and their families. We are committed to assisting the emergency teams on-site and providing the necessary care and support to those impacted.”
Air India reported the nationalities of those onboard as follows: 169 from , 53 from Britain, 7 from Portugal, and 1 from Canada. The injured are receiving treatment at local hospitals.
A senior police officer told Reuters that the plane crashed into a doctors’ hostel, and that “we have cleared almost 70% to 80% of the area and will clear the rest soon.”
The Federal Aviation Administration stated, “The FAA is in contact with the NTSB regarding Air India flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick (LGW), that was involved in an accident in India on Thursday, June 12.”
“In an international incident, the host government leads the investigation. If assistance is requested, the NTSB will serve as the official U.S. representative, with the FAA providing technical support. We are ready to deploy a team immediately in coordination with the NTSB,” the agency added.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sadness, saying, “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has shocked and saddened us.”
“It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this difficult time, my thoughts are with everyone affected. I am in contact with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected,” he said.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer added, “The scenes emerging from the crash in Ahmedabad involving a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals are devastating.”
India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu announced on X that rescue teams have been deployed and efforts are underway to provide medical assistance and at the site.
“We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation,” he said.
The 787 Dreamliner is a widebody, twin-engine aircraft. According to the Aviation Safety Network database, this is the first crash involving a Boeing 787.
Flightradar24 reported that the aircraft was introduced in 2009, and over 1,000 have been delivered to various airlines.
Boeing issued a statement saying, “We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.”
In August 2020, an Air India Express Boeing-737 in southern India, resulting in 21 fatalities.
The deadliest aviation disaster in India occurred on Nov. 12, 1996, when a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight collided mid-air with a Kazakhastan Airlines flight near Charki Dadri in Haryana, killing all 349 people on both aircraft.
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