An Air India Boeing Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad on Thursday and tragically crashed into a nearby medical college, leading to one of India's gravest aviation disasters. The flight, which had 242 passengers and crew members aboard, lost altitude within seconds and subsequently exploded upon impact, with horrifying scenes witnessed on the ground.
According to official reports, all but one individual onboard — a British national — perished in the accident, while numerous casualties occurred among those present in the vicinity of the college. Eyewitness video verified by The New York Times captures the plane as it appeared to glide before a massive fireball erupted, highlighting the sheer magnitude of the disaster.
Among the chaos, the sole survivor, identified as Viswash Kumar Ramesh, emerged from the flames confused and bloodied. He was later heard describing to his brother how he didn't know how he escaped the wreckage. His brother, Nayan Ramesh, conveyed the harrowing emotional turmoil Viswash experienced, as he sought information about his traveling companion — their brother, Ajay Ramesh — who was tragically among the deceased.
The crash serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of air travel, as investigations into its causes begin in earnest to prevent such a atrocity from occurring in the future. As of now, the families of the victims and the nation mourn a heartbreaking loss, marking this day as one of sorrow and disbelief in Indian aviation history.
