Grieving families and a shocked nation are mourning after one of the deadliest air disasters in recent decades. An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed in the northern city of Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, killing 279 people in what is now one of the worst aviation tragedies of the 21st century.
Air India Boeing 787 Crashes Into Residential Area Minutes After Takeoff
The ill-fated passenger jet, carrying 242 people on board, including 12 crew members, issued a mayday call shortly after takeoff. Moments later, it plunged into a residential neighborhood, bursting into a fireball on impact. The crash also claimed the lives of at least 38 people on the ground.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror as debris rained down, with parts of the wreckage embedding themselves in nearby buildings — including a hostel housing medical staff. The tail section of the aircraft was seen protruding from a collapsed structure.
One Survivor in a Miracle Escape
In a miraculous turn, one passenger survived the catastrophe. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, a British citizen, was pulled from the debris and is currently receiving treatment. Speaking from his hospital bed, Ramesh told DD News:
“Initially, I thought I was going to die, but when I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive.”
Victims’ Families Endure Agonizing Wait for DNA Identification
As of Saturday, authorities confirmed that 279 bodies had been recovered from the site. Forensic teams are painstakingly working to identify victims through DNA analysis, a process expected to take several days. Heartbroken relatives have traveled from across India and overseas, providing DNA samples in hopes of confirming the fate of their loved ones.
Among those lost were a prominent politician, international citizens, and even a teenage tea seller, highlighting the wide-reaching tragedy.
Anil Patel, an Ahmedabad local, shared his heartbreak after losing his son and daughter-in-law, who had surprised him with an unannounced visit before boarding the doomed flight.
“I saw my child for the first time in two years. It was a great time,” Patel recalled, breaking down in tears. “And now, there is nothing. Whatever the gods wanted has happened.”
Investigation Underway as Black Box Recovered
India’s Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, confirmed on Friday that one of the aircraft’s black boxes, the flight data recorder, has been recovered. Officials are still searching for the cockpit voice recorder to piece together the moments before the disaster.
The U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing, which built the Dreamliner model involved in the crash, stated it was in contact with Air India and pledged full support for the investigation.
A source close to the investigation revealed this marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its commercial debut.
Global Condolences Pour In
As India reels from this aviation tragedy, messages of condolence have poured in from leaders worldwide. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a national day of mourning, while Air India suspended several scheduled services out of respect for the victims.
