Air India Crash Kills All 242 Onboard – A devastating tragedy unfolded on Thursday afternoon when Air India Flight 171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The crash resulted in the deaths of all 242 passengers and crew on board, marking one of the worst air disasters in Indian aviation history.
The aircraft took off at 1:38 p.m. local time, destined for London Gatwick Airport. Just five minutes later, it went down in the densely populated Meghani Nagar neighborhood, less than five kilometers from the airport. Eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion followed by plumes of black smoke as the aircraft struck a cluster of buildings, including a hostel affiliated with a nearby medical college.
Emergency services responded swiftly, but the destruction was extensive. Firefighters battled flames engulfing both the wreckage and surrounding structures, while police and medical personnel worked to recover bodies and transport victims. Television footage captured harrowing scenes: the aircraft’s mangled tail lodged in an upper-floor apartment, debris strewn across roads, and first responders navigating smoke and rubble.
The intensity of the crash left no survivors. Police Commissioner G.S. Malik confirmed that all aboard had perished and raised concerns that local residents on the ground may also be among the victims. The final toll could rise as authorities comb through the remains of damaged buildings. Many victims’ bodies were charred beyond recognition, complicating identification efforts.
Air India released a statement confirming 242 people were aboard, although the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) listed 244. Among the known nationalities were 169 Indian citizens, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. The discrepancy is under investigation.
The cause of the crash remains unknown. Aviation experts have pointed out that the Boeing 787 is equipped with sophisticated flight monitoring systems, and recovery of the black boxes will be key to determining what went wrong. John M. Cox, a former airline captain and aviation safety expert, noted that despite the Dreamliner’s strong safety record, “this tragedy will be thoroughly investigated from every angle.”
This marks the first fatal crash involving the Boeing 787 since its introduction in 2009. Boeing has issued a statement offering condolences and pledged full cooperation with Indian authorities. The aircraft’s failure, coming just days before the Paris Air Show, may intensify global scrutiny on Boeing’s manufacturing and quality control processes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the disaster “heartbreaking beyond words,” offering his condolences and pledging full government support for the rescue and recovery operations. Global leaders, including Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III, expressed profound grief, underlining the international scope of the tragedy.
Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran announced an emergency response center and vowed comprehensive support for affected families. The Indian Army has joined relief operations, underscoring the scale and urgency of the crisis.
As India mourns, this crash revives painful memories of past aviation tragedies and highlights the need for unwavering attention to flight safety and emergency preparedness.