After departing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Flight AI171 encountered issues shortly after takeoff, prompting a mayday call to air traffic control before losing contact seconds later. The local police confirmed the urgent retrieval of 204 bodies from the crash site, with the eventual toll expected to rise, making this one of the deadliest air disasters in India’s aviation history.
Among the victims were multiple nationalities, including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, and citizens from Canada and Portugal, underscoring the global impact of this tragedy. Eyewitness accounts and imagery from the scene depict a chaotic and harrowing aftermath, showing debris spread across the crash site, with significant parts of the plane embedded in surrounding buildings.
The sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, spoke of the harrowing moments just after the aircraft took off. Despite the chaos, he remains uncertain about the fate of his brother, who was also on board. Local health officials confirmed that the impact had consequences far beyond those on the plane, as students in the hostel were reported to have suffered injuries as well.
In the wake of this catastrophe, both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and international leaders extended their condolences, with Air India’s parent company, Tata Group, pledging financial support for the victims' families. An investigation led by Indian authorities is now underway, with assistance from US and British regulators as the aviation world seeks answers for this disaster.
As the situation evolves, with more information expected to unfold, the loss resonates both locally and globally, leaving communities in shock and mourning.
Among the victims were multiple nationalities, including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, and citizens from Canada and Portugal, underscoring the global impact of this tragedy. Eyewitness accounts and imagery from the scene depict a chaotic and harrowing aftermath, showing debris spread across the crash site, with significant parts of the plane embedded in surrounding buildings.
The sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, spoke of the harrowing moments just after the aircraft took off. Despite the chaos, he remains uncertain about the fate of his brother, who was also on board. Local health officials confirmed that the impact had consequences far beyond those on the plane, as students in the hostel were reported to have suffered injuries as well.
In the wake of this catastrophe, both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and international leaders extended their condolences, with Air India’s parent company, Tata Group, pledging financial support for the victims' families. An investigation led by Indian authorities is now underway, with assistance from US and British regulators as the aviation world seeks answers for this disaster.
As the situation evolves, with more information expected to unfold, the loss resonates both locally and globally, leaving communities in shock and mourning.
