Tragic Air India 787 Dreamliner Crash Claims Over 240 Lives

AHMEDABAD, India — An Air India flight carrying 242 people crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, resulting in 246 confirmed deaths and only one survivor.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Flight AI171, was en route to London when it went down five minutes after leaving the runway. The aircraft carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members, with nearly all onboard perishing. Reports also indicate that several casualties occurred on the ground, including victims from a nearby cafeteria.

Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the death toll and stated that DNA tests are underway to identify the victims. He mentioned that the aircraft was loaded with around 125,000 liters of fuel, complicating rescue efforts due to the fire that erupted upon impact.

One passenger, Vishwaskumar Ramesh, survived the crash and is being treated in a local hospital. Ramesh’s family expressed both relief and concern over his escape, fearing for the safety of his brother who was also aboard.

Officials are investigating the cause of the crash, with various theories circulating, including a possible malfunction with the plane’s flaps. Aviation experts suggest that a failure in engine thrust or a human error may have contributed to the incident.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg extended condolences to the victims’ families and pledged full support for the investigation, which will involve collaboration with India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and international agencies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the crash a “tragedy” and expressed sorrow for those affected. The incident marks the first major accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which has had a previously exemplary safety record.

As the tragedy unfolds, Boeing’s reputation is again under scrutiny, following past incidents linked to other aircraft models. Investigators are expected to gather critical data from the aircraft’s black boxes as they seek to understand the events leading to the crash.