Ahmedabad Plane Crash: 241 killed, 1 survivor; PM Modi visits site, meets injured victims, DNA identification underway

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: In one of the worst aviation disasters in recent Indian history, Air India confirmed that 241 people were killed after its London-bound Flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members when it went down minutes after departure at 1:38 pm, striking a doctors’ hostel near a medical college and erupting into a massive fireball.

“We regret to inform that of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities,” Air India said in a statement issued late Thursday.

Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national.

Ahmedabad plane crash: PM Modi visits crash site

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Ahmedabad early Friday, visited the crash site to take stock of the situation. He is also reportedly expected to meet the injured and the families of the victims.

Air India sets up assistance centres

Taking to its official handle on X, Air India announced the setup of Friends & Relatives Assistance Centres at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gatwick airports to provide support and take care of the needs of the families and loved ones of those aboard Flight AI171. These centres are also facilitating the travel of family members to Ahmedabad.

Dedicated passenger hotline numbers:

From within India: 1800 5691 444

From outside India: +91 8062779200

Air India Crash: One miraculous survivor

The sole survivor of the crash has been identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin. He reportedly jumped out of an emergency exit next to his seat and sustained relatively minor injuries. He is currently receiving treatment at Civil Hospital in Asarwa, Ahmedabad.

Amit Shah Meets Lone Survivor, calls it a ‘national tragedy’

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Civil Hospital on Thursday to meet the lone survivor and relatives of the deceased.

Calling the incident a “national tragedy that has plunged the entire country into mourning,” Shah said during a press briefing:
“This heartbreaking incident has shaken us all. The Hon’ble Prime Minister reached out immediately, and all relevant departments of the Government of India, along with the Gujarat Government, are working together on relief and rescue operations.”

In a post on X, Shah wrote: “Pained beyond words by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. Disaster response forces were swiftly mobilised. I have spoken with Gujarat CM Shri Bhupendra Patel, State Home Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi, and the Police Commissioner to take full stock of the situation.”

He also confirmed that DNA identification is currently underway to establish the identities of those killed.
“Only after the DNA process is completed will we be able to release the names,” Shah said.

Highlighting the intensity of the crash, Shah remarked: “There was no opportunity to save anything. The blaze erupted with such intensity after the plane went down that the wreckage was quickly engulfed, making immediate rescue efforts extremely difficult.”

Gujarat HC, Centre respond

The Gujarat High Court announced that it would observe a two-minute silence on Friday in memory of the victims.

Meanwhile, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal probe into the crash in line with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The government has also constituted a high-level committee comprising aviation and safety experts to investigate the cause and recommend measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.