Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad kills 265; PM Modi visits site, 5 bodies handed over to families | In Points
PTC Web Desk: In one of the worst aviation tragedies in recent memory, at least 265 persons lost their lives when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. The aircraft slammed into the hostel block of a medical college, igniting a massive blaze that left only one survivor among the 242 on board. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where injured victims are being treated. The process of identifying the deceased is ongoing, with five victims—two each from Gujarat and Rajasthan, and one from Madhya Pradesh—already identified and their bodies handed over to their families.
Air India crash: Key developments
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted an on-ground review in Ahmedabad on Friday, meeting top Gujarat officials and issuing directives for swift relief and investigation. He also met Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor, currently being treated at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.
Flight AI171, en route to London Gatwick Airport, went down minutes after take-off, crashing into the densely populated Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad.
Eyewitness video captured the aircraft struggling to gain altitude before erupting into flames upon impact, sparking a fire that engulfed the hostel building.
The aircraft was carrying 230 passengers, including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese citizens, and 1 Canadian, in addition to 12 crew members. Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
The hostel building, part of a local medical college, was full during lunchtime, causing additional casualties on the ground. A multi-agency rescue operation was launched, involving the Indian Army, NDRF, CISF, and local fire and emergency teams.
Rescue personnel reported extreme temperatures at the crash site, with heat soaring to 1,000 degrees Celsius due to the explosion of approximately 1.25 lakh litres of jet fuel. Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the fire as so intense that “it was impossible to save anyone.”
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the plane sent a Mayday signal before losing contact. A full investigation has been ordered by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, following ICAO protocols.
This is the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a next-gen aircraft that entered commercial service in 2011. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg expressed sorrow and confirmed that a team of technical experts will assist the Indian authorities.
International leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump, extended condolences. Trump stated the US would provide "any assistance necessary" in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Compensation and relief
The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced an ex gratia of Rs 1 crore for the families of the deceased. Injured victims will receive full coverage for medical treatment, and the airline has pledged to help rebuild the damaged college infrastructure.
- With inputs from agencies
