In a tragic setback, an Air India plane AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad's Meghaninagar locality on Thursday afternoon, leaving the country in shock. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, flying from Mumbai to London with 242 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed in a residential area just after takeoff, causing a horrific scene of devastation and rescue efforts.
The Crash and Initial Aftermath
The plane, having taken off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, was due to land at London Gatwick Airport. But just minutes after takeoff, it lost altitude and came crashing down on the hostel and staff quarters of BJ Medical College, causing widespread destruction of buildings and cars. Witnesses testified to having seen thick black columns of smoke billowing out from the wreckage, with fire engines and rescue teams rushing to the site.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed that one survivor was recovered in seat 11A, a miracle of survival amidst the tragedy. Another survivor was found in hospital under treatment. The number of deaths is still unclear, but preliminary reports say more than 100 people have been killed, and there are concerns that the figure could be higher.
Rescue Efforts and Government Response
The Indian Army sent around 130 staff to help in rescue efforts, including the engineering section, medical personnel, and fire-fighting services. The Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu also went to the site of the crash, promising a complete probe into the accident. Facilities for DNA testing have also been established at BJ Medical College to assist in identifying victims, and helpline numbers have been released for families inquiring about information.
The Survivor's Story
Among the debris, a single survivor in seat 11A has made headlines. Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada was the man who was lucky enough to survive with minor injuries by jumping off the plane seconds before it crashed. His survival is being celebrated as a miracle, providing a ray of hope in the midst of all the mourning.
A Nation in Mourning
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences, describing the crash as "heartbreaking beyond words". The disaster has left families in mourning, with several still waiting to hear about their loved ones. In ongoing investigations, authorities are working day and night to establish the cause of the crash and avoid such accidents in the future.
The Ahmedabad plane crash is a grim reminder of the mortality of life and the need for air safety. As the country laments the deaths of so many, the miraculous survival of seat 11A's occupant is a reminder of the vagaries of fate.
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