by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:10 AM ET, Fri June 13, 2025
Update: June 13, 2025, at 8:20 a.m. ET
The Air India plane that crashed on Thursday near Ahmedabad
left 246 passengers and crew members dead, as well as five people inside the
building the aircraft struck, but one passenger miraculously survived.
According to ABC
News, Air India Flight 171 departed from the airport in Ahmedabad at around
1:30 p.m. local time on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The plane was carrying
around 125,000 liters of fuel, which created a fire that was too hot for rescue
workers.
Hospital officials in the area confirmed that Vishwaskumar
Ramesh, one of the passengers on the downed flight, was alive and hospitalized
there. Police said no survivors had been expected in the crash.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the
passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected
in Ahmedabad,” Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg said.
“I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to
offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the
investigation led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau,” Ortberg continued.
The cause of the crash is still unclear, but aviation
officials in the United States have offered their assistance in the investigation.
Original Text
An Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft carrying 242 passengers
and crew members crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday in India.
According to ABCNews.com,
the Air India flight departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International
Airport in Ahmedabad, India, with 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven
Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national onboard.
The plane was scheduled to fly from Ahmedabad to London
Gatwick Airport.
The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation said that
shortly after takeoff, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner “fell on the ground outside
the airport perimeter” and “heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident
site.”
In response, the Indian Civil Aviation Minister “directed
all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated
action” at the crash site.
While officials have released no information about possible
survivors, a report from Reuters
said around 100 bodies have already been transported from the scene, with a high
number of casualties reported.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the media, “The
tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond
words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have
been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those
affected.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer released a stamen regarding
r4h crash, saying that his “thoughts are with the passengers and their families
at this deeply distressing time.”
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