In one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory, an Air India passenger flight bound for London crashed just minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, killing 241 people. Authorities have confirmed that only one person survived the crash, which occurred when the aircraft collided with a medical college complex on the outskirts of the city.

Details of the Flight and the Crash

The ill-fated aircraft, Air India Flight AI-187, departed Ahmedabad shortly after 9:40 AM local time with 242 people on board, including passengers and crew. According to early reports from India’s Civil Aviation Authority, the aircraft lost altitude abruptly after takeoff before crashing into the faculty housing section of Sushruta Medical College, approximately 3.7 kilometers from the runway.

Firefighters and emergency crews arrived on the scene within minutes, but the impact and ensuing fire left little chance for survival. Eyewitnesses described a “fireball in the sky” and heard what sounded like a “series of explosions” as the aircraft struck the multi-story complex.

One Survivor in Stable Condition

In a miraculous development, one passenger survived the crash. Dr. Rajnish Patel, the Chief of Emergency Medicine at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, stated that the unnamed survivor is in a “not very critical” condition and could be discharged “within the next couple of days.” The identity of the survivor has not yet been made public, but authorities confirm they were seated toward the rear of the aircraft.

“It’s nothing short of a miracle,” Dr. Patel told reporters. “The patient has minor injuries and is responding well to treatment.”

Passenger Nationalities Confirmed

Air India officials have released a preliminary breakdown of passenger nationalities:

• 169 Indian nationals

• 53 British nationals

• 7 Portuguese nationals

• 1 Canadian national

• 12 crew members (all Indian)

Authorities are now working closely with the respective embassies to notify families and begin the process of repatriation for international victims.

National Mourning and Global Condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, calling the crash a “national tragedy of unimaginable scale.” A two-day national mourning has been declared, with the Indian flag to fly at half-mast across all government buildings.

World leaders, including UK Prime Minister Aisha Khan and Canada’s Prime Minister Nathaniel Greene, issued statements expressing their sympathies and support for the victims’ families.

Investigation Underway

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a full investigation. Black box recovery teams are currently at the crash site. While sabotage has not been ruled out, early indicators suggest technical failure may be a leading cause.

Officials from Boeing (the aircraft manufacturer) and Air India’s safety division have also been dispatched to Ahmedabad to assist with the investigation.

Hospitals Mobilized, City in Shock

Hospitals across Ahmedabad were placed on high alert, and emergency blood donation drives were initiated within hours of the disaster. At least 19 people on the ground were treated for injuries due to debris and building damage, though none are reported to be in critical condition.

The crash has left families devastated across multiple countries, and the medical college where the crash occurred has suspended all operations indefinitely.

A Dark Day in Indian Aviation

This marks one of the worst air disasters in India since the 1996 mid-air collision near Charkhi Dadri. Aviation experts say it will raise serious questions about Air India’s safety standards, particularly as the airline prepares to modernize its fleet under the Tata Group’s privatization initiative.

As rescue and recovery efforts continue, the nation mourns the tragic loss of life and holds on to the slim beacon of hope represented by the lone survivor.