In what is now one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Indian history, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people 230 passengers and 12 crew members has crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.
The flight was en route to London when it went down just moments after takeoff around 1:15 PM local time on June 12. According to foreign media reports, all passengers on board have perished.
The 11-year-old aircraft reportedly crashed into the hostel premises of BJ Medical College in Meghana Nagar, causing additional fatalities on the ground, including medical students residing in the facility.
Devastation at Takeoff
The plane had barely climbed to a safe altitude when it lost contact with air traffic control. Eyewitnesses reported a loud blast followed by plumes of thick black smoke, as flames engulfed the crash site. Indian media reported that Meghaninagar, a densely populated area, quickly turned chaotic as emergency crews rushed in.
The Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services Department dispatched more than five fire engines and multiple emergency response teams. Firefighters battled for hours to douse the flames and retrieve bodies from the wreckage.
Victim Demographics
Reports state that the passengers included:
- 169 Indian nationals
- 59 British nationals
- 7 Portuguese citizens
- 1 Canadian citizen
The tragedy unfolded in seconds, leaving no known survivors, though officials have yet to confirm the total death toll due to the magnitude of destruction at the site.
Suspected Engine Failure
Though no official cause has been confirmed, a technical fault in the aircraft’s engine is suspected. Aviation investigators are examining black box data and speaking with ground crew as part of the probe.
Global Reactions
The international community has begun to respond, with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs releasing a statement expressing shock and sorrow:
“Sri Lanka is deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of many lives in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. We express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the victims of this tragic incident.”
Government Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has convened a crisis meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia to oversee emergency operations and discuss immediate response strategies.
Air India, which has not issued a full statement as of this writing, is expected to hold a press conference soon. The airline’s internal crisis management protocol has been activated, and grief counseling centers have been set up in Ahmedabad and London.
National Mourning
India now faces a moment of profound grief. The scale of the disaster involving a full aircraft, medical college students, and a residential crash site marks this as one of the darkest days in recent aviation memory.
With full-scale investigations underway and nations offering support, families across multiple continents now await confirmation, closure, and accountability.
Further updates will follow as details emerge from official sources.
