Deadly Crash: Air India Dreamliner plunges near Ahmedabad, only one survivor

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed into a residential area shortly after takeoff today, claiming the lives of 241 people onboard and on the ground, according to Indian officials. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members—including 11 children and 2 infants—hit a medical college hostel in Meghani Nagar, triggering a massive fireball and thick smoke visible across the city.

Remarkably, a sole survivor emerged: 40-year-old British passenger Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated in 11A near an emergency exit, who walked away with serious injuries and is now in stable condition at a local hospital.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the scenes as “absolutely devastating,” stating that British authorities are working to confirm facts and support affected families. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with the UK King and other global leaders, expressed profound sorrow, while emergency response units from India, the UK, and Boeing have mobilised to assist on-site.

The crash marks the first fatal accident involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its 2011 debut. Flight data shows the aircraft reached approximately 625 feet before descending sharply, with landing gear still down during the initial moments, raising investigations into potential mechanical or procedural errors. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, with support from Boeing and U.S. NTSB investigators, has launched a full inquiry