Ahmedabad: In a rare and emotional twist amid the devastation, a lone survivor has been pulled alive from the charred wreckage of the Air India Dreamliner that crashed near Ahmedabad. The aircraft, which was en route to London Gatwick with 242 passengers and crew on board, went down shortly after takeoff, crashing into a residential area in the Meghani Nagar locality. The catastrophe triggered panic on the ground and sent plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.
Rescue teams, battling flames and twisted metal, discovered a critically injured man in seat 11A. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed his condition remains grave but stable. Authorities have hailed the survivor’s rescue as a “miracle,” as the scale of destruction offered little hope of anyone making it out alive.
The crash has resulted in a high number of casualties, with over 200 reported dead and concerns mounting over possible civilian deaths in the densely populated neighborhood. Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos, describing the deafening explosion, flames engulfing homes, and desperate efforts by locals to save those trapped inside.
Aviation experts and investigators from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have been deployed to determine the cause of the crash. Preliminary findings suggest no adverse weather at the time of takeoff, shifting focus to mechanical failure or human error.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended condolences to the grieving families. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III also shared their sympathies, commending the rescue workers who braved dangerous conditions to search for survivors.
As authorities continue to identify victims and clear the debris, the lone survivor’s fight for life serves as a rare glimmer of hope in an otherwise heartbreaking disaster. The crash has not only shaken the aviation sector but also left a scar on the nation, prompting urgent calls for accountability and enhanced safety measures.