London-bound flight crashes into college hostel, killing passengers and people on the ground
In one of the worst air disasters in a decade, more than 290 people lost their lives on Thursday when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad en route to London’s Gatwick Airport. The aircraft, carrying 242 people, slammed into a medical college hostel shortly after departure, killing not only passengers and crew but also people on the ground.
Authorities have confirmed that at least one person, seated in an emergency exit row, survived. He described hearing a loud noise seconds after takeoff before the plane crashed.
Survivor’s Account
Ramesh Viswashkumar, who was seated in 11A, told Hindustan Times from his hospital bed: “There was a loud sound and then everything went black. When I came to, I was surrounded by bodies. I ran until someone helped me into an ambulance.” He is still searching for his brother, who was on board but in a different seat.
Death Toll and Identification
Top police official Vidhi Chaudhary confirmed the death toll at approximately 294, noting that the victims included students in the hostel the plane crashed into. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the dead. DNA samples are being collected from families to assist with identification.
Ahmedabad Police Chief G.S. Malik stated that fatalities included both passengers and individuals on the ground. The crash occurred at around 1:39 p.m. local time, shortly after departure. The plane issued a Mayday call before communication was lost.
Devastation on the Ground
Eyewitnesses described a massive explosion followed by chaos. The aircraft’s tail was seen wedged atop the hostel building, with debris scattered around the smouldering structure. Television footage captured the plane climbing over a residential area before disappearing and being replaced by a fireball.
Ramila, whose son was at the hostel during the crash, said he survived by jumping from the second floor. “He’s injured, but he’s alive,” she said.
Aircraft and Investigation
The aircraft was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a modern, fuel-efficient model introduced in 2011. This marks the first recorded crash of a Dreamliner. The aircraft involved first flew in 2013 and joined Air India’s fleet in 2014.
Aviation experts noted that footage suggested the landing gear was still down, which is abnormal during takeoff and might indicate a mechanical failure. US aerospace safety expert Anthony Brickhouse commented: “It looked like the plane was preparing to land, not taking off.”
Boeing confirmed it is working with Air India and authorities. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is dispatching a team to assist with the investigation. GE Aerospace, which supplied the engines, is also sending a technical team to India.
Passenger Breakdown
Air India reported that those on board included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. There were 217 adults, 11 children, and two infants.
Global Reactions
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, calling the tragedy “heartbreaking beyond words.” Modi, whose home state is Gujarat, ordered immediate federal assistance for rescue operations. Ahmedabad Airport briefly suspended operations but later resumed limited flights.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the images “devastating” and confirmed that British authorities are coordinating with India. King Charles expressed his condolences in a statement, saying he and Queen Camilla were “desperately shocked.”
Corporate and Government Response
Gautam Adani, chairman of Adani Group, which operates the Ahmedabad Airport, said his company is working closely with authorities and supporting the affected families. “We are shocked and deeply saddened by this tragedy,” he posted on X.
India’s Worst Aviation Disaster Since 2010
This marks India’s deadliest aviation incident since 2010 and the worst globally in over ten years. The last major crash in India occurred in 2020, when an Air India Express flight skidded off a runway in Kozhikode, killing 21 people.
Air India, formerly state-run, was acquired by the Tata Group in 2022. In 2024, it merged with Vistara, a joint venture between Tata and Singapore Airlines, as part of efforts to modernize and streamline operations.
