Ahmedabad, India — At least 290 people are feared dead after a London-bound Air India flight crashed into a residential neighborhood in Ahmedabad, a major city in western India. The aircraft went down shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, sparking a massive fire and widespread devastation.
Dramatic footage from the scene showed thick black smoke billowing into the sky, as parts of the plane lay scattered across buildings. One section of the aircraft was seen lodged atop a residential structure, while nearby trees and buildings were visibly scorched. Emergency responders were seen working tirelessly, dousing flames and pulling victims from the wreckage.
The ill-fated flight, AI171, was carrying 242 people — including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, according to an official Air India statement. Only one person survived the crash: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national, who was assigned seat 11A. He is currently undergoing treatment in a local hospital.
“Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” Ramesh told The Hindustan Times.
The crash had an especially tragic impact on the BJ Medical College and Hospital, where the plane collided with a doctors’ hostel. According to officials, at least three medical students died, and between 50 to 60 others were hospitalized — some in critical condition. The Indian Medical Association confirmed the deaths, while the Federation of All India Medical Association reported that multiple students are in intensive care.
India’s aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), confirmed the flight took off at 1:39 p.m. local time. Within seconds, the aircraft made a Mayday call before contact was lost. Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed the plane lost altitude just 625 feet after takeoff and began descending rapidly at a rate of -475 feet per minute.
In the wake of the disaster, all outgoing flights from Ahmedabad’s airport were temporarily suspended but have since resumed at reduced capacity.
The crash has sent shockwaves across the country and beyond.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, stating that the tragedy had “stunned and saddened the nation,” calling it “heartbreaking beyond words.” Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran referred to the crash as a “tragic accident,” adding that the airline is fully committed to supporting emergency responders and families affected.
From London, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident “devastating,” and assured that he is being kept informed. Foreign Secretary David Lammy told the UK Parliament that British consular teams in Delhi and London have been activated to support affected nationals and their families.
King Charles III also offered condolences, saying both he and Queen Camilla were “desperately shocked” by the tragedy and praised the “heroic efforts” of emergency teams responding on the ground.
A reception center has been established at London’s Gatwick Airport, the flight’s intended destination, to assist grieving relatives and provide updates.
As authorities begin the painful task of identifying victims and investigating the cause of the crash, a nation mourns one of its worst air disasters in recent memory.
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