An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London crashed into a medical college hostel in Ahmedabad on Thursday, killing at least 265 people in one of the deadliest aviation disasters in a decade. The flight, carrying 242 passengers and crew, went down moments after takeoff during lunch hour, leaving a trail of devastation.
Survivor Recounts Chaos
The sole survivor, Ramesh Viswashkumar, a British national of Indian origin, described hearing a "loud noise" 30 seconds after takeoff. "It all happened so quickly. When I got up, there were bodies all around me," he told the Hindustan Times from his hospital bed. Viswashkumar, seated near an emergency exit, escaped with injuries but remains separated from his brother, Ajay, who was onboard.
Casualties and Recovery Efforts
Ahmedabad police confirmed the death toll includes passengers and individuals on the ground. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the victims. DNA samples are being collected to identify remains, as rescue teams sift through debris scattered across the smoldering hostel building.
International Impact
Passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. Air India stated investigations are ongoing, with authorities examining flight data and eyewitness accounts. The crash marks a grim milestone for India’s aviation sector, raising urgent questions about safety protocols.
