One Survivor as 241 Die in Air India Crash Near Ahmedabad

Friday 13 June 2025 - 07:30

By: Zahouani Ilham

One Survivor as 241 Die in Air India Crash Near Ahmedabad

In a devastating aviation disaster, 241 people lost their lives when an Air India flight crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad airport in western India. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London Gatwick, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members when it went down in a residential area, crashing into a medical college hostel near the airport during lunchtime.

Air India confirmed the fatalities in a statement, expressing deep condolences to the victims' families and promising to focus all efforts on assisting those affected. The sole survivor, identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, managed to escape through an emergency exit and is currently hospitalized, according to Indian authorities.

Initial reports indicate that the aircraft issued a mayday signal before losing contact with air traffic control. Dramatic footage from the scene revealed the plane’s tail lodged atop a building and debris scattered across the area, with smoke rising from the wreckage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a native of Gujarat where the crash occurred, expressed his sorrow on social media, calling the tragedy “heartbreaking beyond words.” Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu echoed the grief, assuring that rescue operations were underway to provide medical support and relief.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also reacted to the incident, describing the images as "devastating," while the UK Foreign Office confirmed cooperation with Indian authorities. The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch announced it would send a team to support the investigation.

This marks the first-ever fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 aircraft. Aviation expert Alex Macheras highlighted that the Dreamliner has maintained a strong safety record over its 15 years of service. The last fatal crash involving Air India occurred in 2020, when an Air India Express plane overshot a runway in Kozhikode, killing 21.