Air India Flight AI171 Crashes in Ahmedabad: 241 Feared Dead, One Survivor
Tragedy struck on June 12 as Air India Flight AI171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed moments after takeoff into the Meghani Nagar residential area, slamming into a medical college dormitory. The crash claimed 241 lives, with only one known survivor.
The aircraft carried 242 passengers, including 169 Indian, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, 1 Canadian, and multiple crew members. Initial reports suggested total fatalities, but authorities later confirmed that Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British-Indian man seated in row 11A, survived.
“There were bodies all around me. I stood up and ran,” Ramesh recounted from his hospital bed, still in shock. His brother, also on board, has not been located.
Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran expressed deep sorrow, promising compensation, full medical coverage, and ongoing support to affected families. Parent company Tata Group activated an emergency response center to assist with identification, relief, and international coordination.
Investigations are underway as India mourns one of its deadliest aviation disasters in recent history.
