Ahmedabad, June 12 – In a devastating tragedy, Air India Flight AI-171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed into a residential building near the airport shortly after takeoff. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, erupted into flames on impact, resulting in 265 fatalities and only one survivor.
Key Details:
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Crash Site: A medical college hostel near Ahmedabad airport.
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Passengers: Included 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, and one Canadian.
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Eyewitness Accounts: Reports suggest the aircraft struggled to gain altitude before spiraling and crashing.
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Survivor: The lone survivor is currently under critical care.
Government Response:
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced the formation of a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to investigate the crash. This panel will:
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Review circumstances and technical failures leading to the incident.
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Evaluate and recommend improvements to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and aviation safety protocols.
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Propose a comprehensive framework to prevent and manage such disasters in the future.
Ongoing Investigations:
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Aviation authorities and forensic experts are examining wreckage for clues.
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A massive post-mortem operation is underway, with 70–80 doctors involved.
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So far, five victims have been identified and their remains returned to families.
Prime Minister’s Visit:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met the sole survivor and rescue personnel at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. The PM has assured full government support for affected families and emphasized strict accountability.
