(Image source from: ANI)
Earlier this week, a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad resulted in the loss of at least 274 lives, including individuals on a London-bound Air India flight, according to reports released on Saturday. The fatalities encompass both the passengers and crew members aboard flight AI 171, as well as local residents affected by the incident. There were 242 individuals onboard the aircraft, comprising 230 passengers, two pilots, and ten crew members. This flight tragically crashed seconds after its departure from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, targeting London Gatwick Airport. Remarkably, only one person, a British national of Indian descent, managed to survive this disaster, which also claimed the life of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
Sources indicate that among the deceased are 10 physicians and their family members who were residing at the BJ Medical College's residential quarters in the Meghaninagar district. Additionally, twenty-four MBBS students who sustained injuries in the accident are currently receiving medical care. Officials have confirmed that the flight's black box has been located, and recovery efforts are underway, involving over 100 workers and 40 engineers focused on clearing the wreckage from the site. The ill-fated Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 took off around 1:30 PM, but shortly thereafter, it lost altitude and collided with the medical college's housing facilities, igniting a fire that sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
Following takeoff, the pilot promptly issued a 'Mayday' distress signal, indicating a severe emergency, as stated by the Air Traffic Control in Ahmedabad. Experts in aviation have suggested possible explanations for the crash, including a loss of thrust in both engines or a bird strike, based on the visual evidence available. Images from the wreckage site revealed teams pulling victims from the wreckage and transporting the injured, many suffering from burns, to a nearby civil hospital. Several questions loom regarding the events leading to this catastrophic accident involving the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which first entered service in 2011. Investigators are keen to understand the final moments before the crash, the reasons behind the aircraft's failure to gain altitude, and whether any issues arose with the flaps or engine controls.
The plane's black box was located on the roof of the medical college hostel on Friday. The information retrieved from it will be crucial in distinguishing between technical problems and human error while also providing a detailed timeline of the incident. On the same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site to assess the situation and also met with the sole survivor and the injured individuals at the hospital.
