Air India Plane Crash Kills 265; PM Modi to Visit Ahmedabad Today
At least 265 people lost their lives when Air India Flight AI‑171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed near Ahmedabad’s airport on Thursday afternoon, slamming into a medical college hostel and erupting into a massive fire. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the crash site and the Civil Hospital today, as investigators and emergency teams work around the clock.
The aircraft departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 pm IST and issued a mayday call before losing contact and crashing in the Meghaninagar area. Of the 242 on board, only British‑Indian passenger Vishwashkumar Ramesh, seated in 11A, survived and is being treated.
The victim count includes 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese, and one Canadian, as well as former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Rescue crews report that the plane impacted during lunchtime, causing additional ground fatalities among students and staff at the hostel.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site and hospital on Thursday evening, describing the blaze as “so intense nothing could be saved,” with temperatures fueled by 125,000 litres of jet fuel reaching nearly 1,000 °C. He confirmed DNA testing has begun to identify the victims.
Prime Minister Modi, calling the crash “stunning and saddening,” has instructed Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu to oversee all relief efforts. A multi-agency response—including the Army, NDRF, CISF, and local fire services—continues recovery and medical operations.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), supported by Boeing, FAA, NTSB, and UK AAIB, has launched a formal probe. This tragic event marks the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Tata Group, Air India’s parent company, has announced ₹1 crore compensation per victim and will cover all medical expenses. Additionally, it will fund rebuilding efforts at the damaged hostel.
International leaders, including UK PM Keir Starmer and former US President Trump, conveyed condolences and offered support. The global aviation community also expressed concern, with safety reviews already underway.
India is in shock following its deadliest single-plane crash since the 1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision. With investigations underway and relief operations ongoing, PM Modi’s visit signals national resolve to support victims and prevent future tragedies.
