A major aviation disaster struck India as an Air India Boeing-787 (Flight AI171) en route to London Gatwick crashed just two minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, causing significant loss of life.
Over 100 Bodies Recovered So Far
Rescue teams have confirmed that approximately 100 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, with many victims burned beyond recognition. The aircraft caught fire after impact, leading to complete destruction of the fuselage.
Flight Details and Passenger Nationalities
The ill-fated aircraft had 242 individuals onboard, including 10 crew members. According to Air India, the passengers included:
- 169 Indian nationals
- 53 British nationals
- 7 Portuguese nationals
- 1 Canadian national
The aircraft was identified as a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a long-haul wide-body aircraft commonly used for international routes.
High-Level Political Response and Investigation
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu have departed from Delhi for Ahmedabad to assess the situation and lead response coordination. Emergency rescue and relief operations are ongoing at the crash site.
Reports Suggest Former CM Onboard
Unconfirmed media reports suggest that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani may have been on board the flight. Authorities are working to verify the manifest and identify all passengers.
Challenges in Identifying Victims
Due to the intense fire following the crash, most of the recovered bodies are charred, making identification extremely difficult. Officials have indicated that DNA testing may be required for proper identification of the victims.
Crash Investigation Underway
A full investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the crash. Initial indications suggest that the aircraft crashed within minutes of takeoff, but further technical analysis will be conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other relevant authorities.
