Kathmandu — A tragic plane crash claimed the lives of 241 people when an Air India Boeing 787-8, flying from Ahmedabad to London, went down on Thursday afternoon. Indian Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that the aircraft crashed just minutes after takeoff. There were a total of 242 people on board — 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
Sadly, only one passenger survived. The survivor, a British citizen of Indian origin, is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. Home Minister Shah, who visited the crash site, said, “The fire was intense due to approximately 125,000 liters of fuel on board. Most of the bodies are severely damaged, making identification difficult; DNA testing will be used for identification.”
Compensation and Support from Tata Group
The aircraft was operated under Air India, owned by the Tata Group. The airline has announced compensation of 10 million Indian Rupees per deceased passenger for their families and will cover all medical expenses for the injured. Additionally, Tata Group has committed to rebuilding homes damaged by the crash.
Reports from major Indian media outlets confirmed that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the victims. The tragic incident has drawn condolences from world leaders, including those from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. India’s President and Prime Minister have described the crash as a national tragedy.
Investigation Underway
Investigations are ongoing at the crash site. Preliminary findings suggest the crash may have been caused by technical failure or an emergency situation during the flight. A definitive conclusion will be reached after a thorough investigation.
