The tragedy that struck India in the past hours takes on increasingly clear and dramatic contours. Authorities have confirmed that the crash of Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, caused the death of all 242 people on board and five others on the ground, bringing the total death toll to 247. It is noted that among these, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian. The five fatalities on the ground are presumed to be Indian.

The accident occurred today shortly after takeoff from runway 23 at Ahmedabad's "Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel" International Airport. The aircraft, which had issued a "Mayday" shortly before impact, crashed in the Meghaninagar area, about 1.4 kilometers southwest of the end of runway 23. Initial investigations indicate that the aircraft violently struck a medical hostel, a building housing numerous students.

A video circulated in the hours following shows the final moments of the aircraft's descent with the landing gear still extended before it disappeared from view, followed by a violent explosion. This visual testimony confirms the rapidity and dramatic nature of the flight’s last seconds. The direct impact on the hostel unfortunately claimed victims among civilians on the ground, adding sorrow to an already devastating tragedy.

Rescue operations, coordinated by local authorities and teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), have continued relentlessly amid destruction and flames fueled by the aircraft’s fuel. Interior Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel closely supervised the activities, while Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu assured full government support.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a thorough investigation to determine the causes of the disaster, dispatching expert teams from Delhi to recover the flight recorders (which, at the time of writing, have not yet been located) and analyze any useful data. Although initial hypotheses include possible technical failure, engine thrust loss, or bird-strike, the nature of the incident and the confirmed "Mayday" indicate a critical emergency onboard. The aviation community and Indian authorities are now focused on recovering remains and supporting the families, while the country mourns the numerous lost lives.

See for details AVIONEWS 1, 2 and 3.