LONDON / NEW DELHI — In a devastating air tragedy, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers and crew members crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, en route to London on Thursday afternoon. Authorities on the ground have confirmed there are no known survivors.
⚠️ Flight AI-185 Ends in Disaster Minutes After Takeoff
According to Air India’s official statement, Flight AI-185 departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad at 13:38 hrs local time, bound for the United Kingdom. Just minutes after takeoff, the aircraft crashed into the Meghaninagar area, a densely populated suburb near the airport.
“The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft,” said Air India in a statement posted on social media.
Emergency services and rescue personnel rushed to the site, but the destruction was complete. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik confirmed to ABC News, “It appears that there are no survivors on the plane.”
🌍 Nationalities of the Victims
The nationalities of the passengers aboard the doomed flight have been confirmed as follows:
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169 Indian nationals
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53 British nationals
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7 Portuguese nationals
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1 Canadian national
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Remaining: Crew and unknown nationalities
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has been coordinating with consular offices in India and abroad to inform families and begin repatriation processes.
The Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, part of Air India’s long-haul international fleet known for fuel efficiency and modern technology. This incident marks the first fatal crash involving a passenger-carrying Boeing 787.
“We are aware of initial reports and are working to gather more information,” Boeing said in a brief statement released Thursday.
According to aviation watchdogs, the Dreamliner model has had an impressive safety record since its launch in 2011. Investigators are now looking into what went wrong with Flight AI-185 in such a short span of time after departure.
A Wake-Up Call for Global Aviation
While air travel remains statistically the safest mode of transport, this incident serves as a sobering reminder that aviation safety must be constantly reviewed, even for state-of-the-art aircraft like the Dreamliner.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and DGCA are expected to issue updated safety protocols once preliminary findings emerge.
What Happens Next?
Authorities say the recovery of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder is the top priority. These “black boxes” could hold vital clues about the moments leading up to the crash. Until then, speculation about mechanical failure, pilot error, or other contributing factors remains just that—speculation.
Air India has canceled other flights from Ahmedabad and is offering assistance to grieving families. A helpline has been established for next of kin.