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By Newspot Nigeria Global Desk
Ahmedabad, India – A devastating tragedy struck India early Thursday as Air India Flight 171, en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed moments after takeoff, killing at least 269 people in one of the worst aviation disasters in recent Indian history.
The aircraft, carrying 242 people — including 230 passengers and 12 crew members — lost control barely five minutes into its flight and collided with a doctors’ residential hostel near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Authorities confirmed that 241 people onboard perished, with only one survivor, a British-Indian dual citizen, pulled from the wreckage in critical condition.
Adding to the toll, at least 28 civilians in the residential area also lost their lives, as parts of the building collapsed under the force of the impact. Rescue workers and firefighters battled flames and debris well into the night, attempting to recover remains and search for additional survivors.
Eyewitnesses described a “massive explosion” followed by billowing smoke and frantic scenes as emergency services flooded the crash site. “I saw people dying in front of my eyes,” the lone survivor later recounted in a hospital interview.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the scene personally, called it a “national tragedy” and pledged a full investigation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and a special aviation task force have been deployed to determine what caused the catastrophic failure.
Preliminary reports indicate a potential engine fire or structural malfunction, though black box analysis is still underway.
Global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressed condolences. The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has also extended its sympathies, noting that no Nigerian citizens were reported onboard.
As India enters a period of mourning, families of the victims are demanding swift answers and justice, with many questioning the safety standards of Air India’s aging fleet.
More updates to follow as the investigation unfolds.
🕯️ Newspot Nigeria mourns alongside the families affected and will continue to provide verified updates on this developing story.
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