CCTV released after at least 290 die in Air India plane crash

At least 290 people have died after an Air India flight bound for London crashed into a residential area shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday.

The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating as Flight AI171 to London’s Gatwick Airport, was carrying 242 people when it went down moments after takeoff, plummeting into the doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College and Hospital. The crash ignited a massive fire that engulfed part of the building and nearby residences, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

Emergency responders raced to the scene, where they found the fuselage partially embedded in the hospital structure and surrounding trees scorched. Dozens of victims, including passengers, hospital residents and local civilians, were transported to nearby medical centres, though authorities have warned the death toll is likely to rise.

Among the victims were several minors and at least three medical students. Between 50 and 60 more students were admitted to local hospitals, with two to three currently in intensive care, the Federation of All India Medical Association said.

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Miraculously, at least one person survived the crash. British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, reportedly seated in 11A, was pulled from the wreckage and is receiving treatment. Speaking from his hospital bed, Ramesh told The Hindustan Times, “Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.”

Flight operations at the Ahmedabad airport were temporarily suspended following the disaster but have since resumed on a limited basis.

Air India confirmed the passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian. A reception centre has been established at Gatwick Airport to assist families and provide updates.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow, saying the country had been “stunned and saddened” by the tragedy, which he described as “heartbreaking beyond words”. Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran called it a “tragic accident”, assuring the public that the airline was doing “everything in our power” to support emergency crews and affected families.

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In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the scenes were “devastating” and confirmed he is receiving ongoing updates. Foreign Secretary David Lammy told the House of Commons that crisis teams have been activated in both London and Delhi to assist British nationals.

King Charles III released a statement saying he and Queen Camilla were “desperately shocked” by the crash, offering their thoughts to victims and praising the “heroic efforts” of emergency responders.

The disaster marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2011. Boeing, which has more than 1,175 Dreamliners in service worldwide, said it is working closely with Air India and expressed condolences to all affected.

As investigations begin into the cause of the crash, India and the international aviation community are left grappling with one of the deadliest air disasters in recent history.

Images: CCTV / YouTube