In a catastrophic aviation disaster, Air India Flight AI171 crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, killing at least 265 people and leaving only one survivor. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London’s Gatwick Airport, went down in the densely populated Meghaninagar area on Thursday afternoon, slamming into a medical college hostel and triggering a massive fire that engulfed the surroundings.

Authorities confirmed that 230 passengers and 12 crew members were on board. Among the victims were 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese citizens, and a Canadian. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also confirmed dead. The sole survivor, Vishwaskumar Ramesh, was seated in 11A and is currently undergoing treatment at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the crash site today to inspect the damage and meet with injured survivors. He called the tragedy “stunning and saddening,” and ordered the Civil Aviation Ministry to prioritize rescue and support operations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that a Mayday call was sent moments before the crash, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has launched a formal probe under ICAO protocols.

The crash, which also claimed lives of students in the hostel block hit by the aircraft, ignited over 1.25 lakh litres of jet fuel, with site temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius. Rescue teams from the Army, NDRF, CISF, and local fire departments coordinated efforts through the night. This marks the first-ever fatal crash involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its commercial launch in 2011. Boeing and international authorities, including the UK and US, are cooperating with Indian officials in the investigation.

Tata Group, Air India’s parent company, announced Rs 1 crore compensation for each victim’s family, full medical treatment for the injured, and pledged to help rebuild the damaged college infrastructure.