A tragic air crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by Air India has left a profound impact on countless lives. With the heartbreaking loss of 241 passengers and crew members on board, the owner of Air India has pledged to pay 10 million rupees (approximately £86,000) to the families of each deceased individual and cover medical expenses for those injured.
On Thursday, the aircraft tragically crashed just after taking off from Ahmedabad, India, while en route to Gatwick Airport in London. This incident has shaken the communities of those on board and sparked a widespread outpouring of grief and solidarity.
Out of the 242 individuals on the flight, only one, a 40-year-old British-Indian named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived. Residing in London, he had traveled to Ahmedabad to visit family. Ramesh recounted the harrowing moments before the crash: “Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.” His boarding pass indicated that he was seated in 11A, traveling alongside his brother.
Describing the aftermath of the incident, Ramesh remarked, “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.” His testimony highlights the chaos and panic that ensued following the crash, as he managed to escape from a scene of devastation.
In a deeply distressing turn of events, part of the aircraft struck a dining area at a nearby medical college, resulting in the loss of at least five medical students’ lives and injuring nearly 50 others, some in critical condition, according to the Federation of All India Medical Association.
As authorities began recovery operations, they confirmed that 204 bodies had been retrieved from the crash site a few hours after the incident. The gravity of this tragedy has mobilized both national and international support in its wake.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chair of Air India’s parent company, Tata Group, addressed the nation via social media, affirming, “Tata Group will provide ₹1 crore to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy.” He emphasized their commitment to covering medical costs for the injured and ensuring they receive the necessary care. Furthermore, Chandrasekaran noted assistance in rebuilding the B J Medical hostel, expressing solidarity with affected communities in these challenging times.
In the wake of the crash, Air India has canceled a scheduled flight from Gatwick to Goa, intended to leave just hours after the Ahmedabad flight was meant to arrive. In a bid to support the families of those affected, Gatwick Airport has established a reception center to assist relatives of the passengers aboard flight AI171.
The UK Foreign Office has responded by updating its support services for those in need of assistance. Families concerned about loved ones can contact:
- +91 (11) 2419 2100 (in India)
- +44 (0) 20 7008 5000 (in the UK)
The Gujarat State authorities have also set up an Emergency Centre for immediate support, reachable at +91 (0) 79 23251900 or +91 (0) 9078405304. Families in India seeking further information can contact Air India’s dedicated passenger hotline at 1800 5691 444.
In response to the tragedy, the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch has announced that it will send a multidisciplinary investigation team to India to assist with the ongoing inquiry, reinforcing the commitment to uncover the circumstances surrounding this devastating event.