A man has been rescued alive from the wreckage of a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, and is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital, according to police officials. The incident involved an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers bound for Gatwick Airport in London.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik confirmed that the aircraft struck a nearby doctors’ hostel shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. “The individual, seated in 11A, was found alive by police personnel and has been hospitalized,” Malik told ANI over the phone. He added that the exact number of fatalities is still undetermined and warned that the toll could rise due to the crash occurring in a densely populated residential area.
The aircraft had taken off around 1:30 PM local time on Thursday and issued a “Mayday” call shortly thereafter, indicating a critical emergency. Moments later, it crashed into a residential building, igniting a massive blaze and causing widespread devastation.
In the wake of the accident, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has deployed approximately 150 security personnel to assist with rescue and relief operations. A statement issued by the CRPF said members of the Rapid Action Force’s 100th Battalion and personnel from the CRPF Group Centre in Gandhinagar have been dispatched to the site.
Additionally, the Gujarat government has mobilized three teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising around 90 officials from Gandhinagar, to support the ongoing efforts.
Home Minister Shah Visits Crash Site
India’s Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived at the crash site on Thursday evening to oversee the relief operations and assess the situation. He was accompanied by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
According to Air India, the ill-fated flight AI 171 was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, 7 Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian citizen.
Investigations are ongoing, with international aviation authorities from the UK and US also offering support. The tragedy has drawn global attention as this marks the first crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a highly advanced wide-body aircraft designed for long-haul travel. Rescue operations continue amid growing concerns over the rising casualty count.
