By Our Reporter
In what has become the world’s deadliest aviation tragedy in a decade, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed just minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing more than 200 people and igniting a firestorm of grief and global concern.
The doomed aircraft—Flight AI171 bound for London’s Gatwick Airport—plummeted into a residential area near the city center on Thursday afternoon, striking the dining hall of the B.J. Medical College doctors’ hostel during lunch hour. At least 204 bodies have been recovered so far, according to Ahmedabad city police chief G.S. Malik, with no survivors confirmed.
“This is a national catastrophe,” Malik said grimly. “The death toll could rise further as we continue clearing debris.”
A Fireball of Tragedy
Eyewitness footage captured the moment of impact: a jet of flame erupted beyond city rooftops seconds after the aircraft disappeared from view. Emergency responders rushed to the scene to battle thick black smoke and retrieve bodies from the charred wreckage. Part of the aircraft’s tail was found wedged atop the hostel roof, while twisted metal and human remains littered the ground.
“It was like a bomb had exploded,” said Ramila, the mother of a student who was inside the building. “My son jumped from the second floor and survived, but he is injured.”
Air India confirmed the plane was carrying 217 adults, 11 children, and 2 infants, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. The medical college reported multiple student casualties, further deepening the tragedy.
Authorities have requested DNA samples from relatives to assist in identifying bodies. Many victims remain unidentifiable due to the severity of the fire and impact.
Dreamliner Nightmare
This marks the first fatal crash involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model that entered commercial service in 2011 and has since been hailed as one of the safest, most efficient aircraft in operation. The aircraft involved was delivered to Air India in January 2014 and had flown for the first time in 2013.
Aviation experts are stunned. “From the videos, the plane appeared to have its landing gear down—which is abnormal during ascent,” said U.S. aerospace safety consultant Anthony Brickhouse. “It looked like an aircraft preparing to land, not just taking off.”
Flightradar24 reported receiving the final signal from the aircraft just seconds after takeoff from Runway 23 at 1:39 PM IST (0809 GMT). The aircraft issued a distress “Mayday” call before going silent.
Indian authorities, along with representatives from Boeing and GE Aerospace (the aircraft’s engine manufacturer), are coordinating investigations. GE has dispatched a technical team to analyze cockpit data.
British officials said they are working closely with Indian authorities to assist affected families. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles both issued heartfelt condolences, with the King expressing he and Queen Camilla were “desperately shocked by the terrible events.”
Modi, Adani Express Grief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose home state is Gujarat, expressed “heartbreaking sorrow” over the crash. His office ordered all necessary support for rescue and recovery efforts.
Ahmedabad Airport briefly suspended all operations following the disaster but has since reopened on a limited basis. Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group which operates the airport, said his teams were “working closely with authorities and supporting victims’ families on the ground.”
This is India’s worst aviation disaster since the 2020 Kozhikode crash, where an Air India Express flight skidded off a “table-top” runway, killing 21. But Thursday’s catastrophe dwarfs it in scale and emotional impact.
Air India, now under Tata Group ownership following its 2022 privatization and 2024 merger with Vistara, is expected to face intense scrutiny over maintenance, crew training, and aircraft condition.
As the world mourns, the crash site in Ahmedabad remains a haunting monument to lives lost in seconds—and a call to action for global aviation safety.