Today has been marked by an aerial tragedy of immense proportions in Ahmedabad, India, where Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff. The official and heartbreaking toll reports 247 victims: all 242 people on board the aircraft and five individuals who were on the ground (see AVIONEWS and related links). Yet, amid such devastation, a piece of news has emerged that, although faint, ignites a small spark of hope: the discovery of a single, incredible survivor.

Chronology of a Rapid Tragedy: the dramatic sequence of events began early this afternoon in India (local time), around 13:39 (08:09 UTC), when the Boeing departed from runway 23 of the "Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel" International Airport. Moments after takeoff, the aircraft lost radar contact at just 625 feet altitude. A desperate "Mayday" was transmitted by the pilots, the last communication before silence ensued. A chilling video, captured from afar, shows the Dreamliner descending with its landing gear still extended, disappearing on the horizon before a violent explosion. The aircraft crashed in the residential area of Meghaninagar, approximately 1.4 kilometers southwest of the runway, striking directly a medical hostel housing numerous students, which contributed to the tragic death toll on the ground as well.

Immediately following the impact, a massive fire erupted, fueled by the aircraft's fuel, severely complicating rescue operations. Firefighting teams, ambulances, and specialized units from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rushed to the scene, working tirelessly amid flames and debris. Local authorities swiftly suspended all airport operations in Ahmedabad, while Indian Railways mobilized to assist stranded passengers on the ground.

The Miracle of Seat 11A: despite the near-total loss of human life, search and rescue efforts led to an unexpected discovery. A single passenger, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a British citizen seated in 11A, was extracted alive from the wreckage and debris. His survival, albeit with injuries, is considered a miracle in a disaster of such magnitude. He is currently hospitalized and receiving appropriate medical care.

Investigations and the Mystery of the Black Boxes: the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have launched a formal investigation to determine the causes of the disaster. Teams of experts from Delhi have convened on site with the primary objective of recovering the black boxes—the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder—critical elements to reconstruct the flight’s final moments and understand what transpired onboard. Hypotheses under consideration include a sudden technical failure, loss of thrust or lift, or a bird strike, but only a thorough analysis of the data will provide concrete answers. Air India, through its chairman N. Chandrasekaran, has expressed profound condolences and activated a dedicated assistance line for the victims' families. The entire world awaits to understand the reasons behind yet another heartbreaking tragedy.