Ahmedabad Air India Crash: 241 Dead, Sole Survivor; Investigation Underway
An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (AI-171) bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. The aircraft struck a medical college complex, causing additional fatalities on the ground. A British national of Indian origin was the sole survivor from the flight. An investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been launched into the cause of India's worst aviation disaster in recent history.
Unpacked:
The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Initial reports indicate the plane struggled to gain altitude and the pilots issued a Mayday call shortly after takeoff, suggesting a possible technical malfunction or loss of lift, but no official cause has been determined yet.
The plane struck a medical college complex, resulting in additional fatalities on the ground, but the exact number of ground casualties and the full extent of the damage have not yet been confirmed by officials.
The only survivor was a British national of Indian origin. Details about how this individual survived or their current condition have not been publicly disclosed, except that they are being treated in a hospital.
This crash is considered India’s worst aviation disaster in recent history, surpassing other major incidents in terms of fatalities. Previous significant accidents, like the 2010 Air India Express crash in Mangalore that killed 158, had fewer casualties than this incident.