Air India Dreamliner Crash in Ahmedabad Kills Over 290 – London-Bound Flight’s Tragic End Minutes After Takeoff

AHMEDABAD, India, June 12 (Reuters) – In what is being called the worst aviation disaster in the last ten years, more than 290 people lost their lives when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad airport en route to London’s Gatwick Airport. The flight, carrying 242 passengers, plummeted into a medical college hostel during lunch hour, killing students and people on the ground.

Authorities confirmed that the crash occurred around 1:39 p.m. local time, shortly after the aircraft issued a Mayday alert. Air traffic control lost contact moments later. Police said at least one passenger survived — Ramesh Viswashkumar, who was seated next to an emergency exit, described hearing a loud noise before the plane nosedived.

Rescue teams recovered charred remains and scattered wreckage from the crash site. Among the deceased was Vijay Rupani, former chief minister of Gujarat. Officials have asked families to provide DNA samples to help identify victims.

The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner first delivered to Air India in 2014, had 217 adults, 11 children, and 2 infants on board. Nationalities included 169 Indians, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. This marks the first fatal crash involving a Dreamliner since it entered commercial service in 2011.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror, with bodies strewn across the hostel grounds. Ramila, the mother of one of the hostel students, said her son jumped from the second floor and survived with minor injuries.

Global Response and Investigation Underway

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is dispatching investigators to assist, and GE Aerospace — the engine manufacturer — is analyzing cockpit and engine data. Boeing stated it is working closely with Air India and Indian aviation authorities. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. King Charles is also being updated regularly on the incident.

According to aviation experts cited in Times of India and BBC, the plane’s landing gear being deployed during takeoff is unusual and could indicate mechanical failure or pilot error. Investigators will analyze black box data to determine the root cause. Civil aviation authorities are expected to review Air India’s operational protocols following this crash.

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