Tragedy struck the city of Ahmedabad when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a residential district shortly after takeoff, leaving 279 people dead in one of the deadliest aviation disasters of the 21st century.
According to a senior city police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, 279 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage site as of Saturday. The revised toll surpasses earlier reports of 265 fatalities and includes both passengers and residents on the ground.
The ill-fated flight, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, had 242 people on board 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, a Canadian, and 12 crew members. Air India confirmed that only one person aboard the aircraft survived. Additionally, at least 38 individuals lost their lives on the ground when the aircraft slammed into residential buildings near the airport just after noon on Thursday.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a mayday call moments before the aircraft plunged into the neighborhood, having barely lifted 100 meters off the ground. Rescue workers and emergency responders battled flames and dense debris as they pulled bodies from the rubble. The official death toll may continue to change as authorities carry out DNA tests for victim identification.
A black box flight data recorder was retrieved from the scene on Friday, while the search continues for the cockpit voice recorder. These will be crucial in determining what led to the catastrophic crash.
This marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model celebrated for its advanced fuel efficiency and composite structure. Boeing has expressed condolences and said it is in contact with Air India, offering technical assistance for the ongoing investigation.
The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and international aviation safety bodies are expected to collaborate on a comprehensive inquiry into the crash. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his deep sorrow and pledged full support for the victims’ families.
As the nation mourns, questions swirl around how such a modern aircraft could suffer such a devastating failure moments after takeoff.
