A devastating tragedy unfolded on Thursday when Air India flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 241 passengers and crew. In what officials are calling one of the worst air disasters in recent Indian aviation history, just one passenger survived.

The sole survivor has been named as Ramesh Viswashkumar, a British national from Leicester, who was seated in 11A. His brother, also on board, did not survive. 

Speaking from his hospital bed, Ramesh said: “Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.”

It is understood that several children were among those on board, with many passengers believed to have been returning to the UK after visiting relatives in India.

Among the victims were Dr Pratik Joshi, his wife Dr Komi Vyas, and their child – a family who had just embarked on a new chapter in the UK. The couple, both medical professionals, had packed up their lives in India to begin afresh with hope and determination. Their journey ended minutes after take-off.

In Gloucestershire, the local community is mourning the loss of Akeel Nanabawa, his partner Hannaa Vorajee, and their four-year-old daughter Sara. Family representative Imam Abdullah described them as “a devoted and compassionate family” who were “pillars of strength” in the community.

“Their daughter was a ray of sunshine,” he said, as vigils were planned in their memory.

Another victim was a 25-year-old British man who had travelled to India to perform his father’s final rites on 29 May. He was returning to the UK to reunite with his wife.

The plane was being flown by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a veteran with over 8,200 flying hours and nearly 30 years of service. The 60-year-old was months away from retirement and had planned to spend more time with his 82-year-old father, a former civil aviation regulator.

Air India flight AI171 took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT). According to flight tracking data, the signal was lost less than a minute later, with the plane reaching just 625 feet before plunging into Meghani Nagar, a densely populated area in Ahmedabad.

The plane issued a mayday call but failed to respond further. Authorities are now searching for the aircraft’s two black boxes to determine what went wrong.

Tragically, the plane crashed into a residential complex housing doctors from Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital. A video circulating online shows the aircraft nosediving shortly after take-off before erupting into flames. Aviation experts believe it fell at a rate of 475 feet per minute.

While no official cause has yet been confirmed, a bird strike – where birds are sucked into an engine – has been suggested. However, experts note that modern aircraft are built to fly on a single engine in emergencies.

The aircraft was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and 12 crew members. 

In a statement, Air India said: “The flight which departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 hours, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members… The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline… Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.”

In the UK, Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that consular teams were supporting affected families. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the crash “devastating”, adding: “My thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.”

The King and Queen Camilla also issued a statement expressing their “desperate shock” and praised the emergency services for their courageous response.

One would-be passenger, British student Bhumi Chauhan, avoided the tragedy after arriving five minutes late to the airport and being denied boarding.

“At the time, I was upset about missing my flight,” she said. “Now, I feel I have been given another chance at life.”

London Gatwick Airport, where the plane was due to land at 18:25 BST, confirmed it is working closely with Air India and has set up a reception centre for relatives.
Chief Executive Stewart Wingate said:

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those on board. We are working closely with Air India to provide information and support.”