Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Rescue Operations Conclude, 241 Dead, Investigation Launched

Tragic Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 241. Rescue operations concluded; one survivor was found. AAIB and NTSB launched probe.

Ahmedabad: Rescue efforts are underway at the crash site of Air India Flight AI171 (IANS)

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) finished the rescue efforts at the site of the Air India Flight 171 tragedy in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where a Boeing 787-8 crashed into a resident doctors' hostel close to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport just minutes after takeoff on Thursday. The tragedy resulted in the loss of 241 lives, including 12 crew members, with just one survivor, a British national of Indian origin, under treatment.

NDRF Inspector Vinay Kumar said seven teams were sent out, and 81 bodies have been recovered so far. "The operation is over, but the confirmed death toll is 241," Kumar said. The plane, traveling to London Gatwick, had 169 Indian, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian national on board.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated a formal investigation, following International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated. A high-level multi-disciplinary committee will also look into the accident to further improve aviation safety. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will provide technical help, with investigators going to India, but all updates will be from Indian authorities according to ICAO Annex 13.

Air India confirmed that the 12-year-old aircraft, commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 hours of flight) and First Officer Clive Kundar (1,100 hours of flight), took off at 13:39 IST, made a Mayday call, and afterwards became out of contact with Air Traffic Control. The aircraft crashed outside the perimeter of the airport, resulting in heavy black smoke. The Tata Group-run airline declared Rs 1 crore compensation to each of the victims' families and set up a helpline (+91 8062779200 for international calls, 1800 5691 444 within India) for assistance.

The condition of the lone survivor is still under close medical observation as inquiries continue to determine the reason behind this disastrous crash.