Tragedy in India: Only one survivor after horrific plane crash

Tragedy in India: Only one survivor after horrific plane crash

A tragic plane crash in India has killed more than 240 people. An Air India Boeing 787-8 crashed shortly after take-off in a residential area near Ahmedabad Airport. The flight was on its way to London. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the sole survivor, who is currently in hospital. He said he was able to unfasten his seatbelt and leave the plane after the impact. The survivor, of British origin and sitting at No. 11A, is a ray of hope in the midst of a tragedy that has plunged the nation into deep mourning. Modi expressed shock over the incident and met relatives of the victims.

The crash occurred shortly after the scheduled takeoff at 1:10 p.m. According to reports, the plane initially rose to a height of 190 meters before falling at 2.5 m/s. There is unconfirmed information about a mayday call from the cockpit that may have been made before the accident. A total of 265 fatalities have been recovered so far, including at least 24 people who were not on board. Previous reports confirm that the victims include 169 Indians, 53 British, 7 Portuguese and 1 Canadian. However, the exact death toll will not be officially announced until DNA tests are completed.

Investigations into the cause of the accident

The Indian authorities have already taken important steps to clarify the cause of the accident. The flight data recorder, also known as a black box, was recovered within 28 hours of the crash, which Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu described as an important step in the investigation. Aviation expert Heinrich Großbongardt emphasized the importance of the black box data for solving the accident. The investigation is supported by, among others, the British Air Accident Authority AAIB and the manufacturer Boeing.

The request to improve safety inspections on the Boeing 787-8 and the 787-9 has already been made. In addition, maintenance measures were ordered for aircraft with General Electric GEnx engines. After the crash, Boeing shares fell almost eight percent, while Boeing expressed sympathy for those affected.

Air traffic background

The crash is a reminder that, despite generally increasing safety in air travel, plane crashes still have serious consequences. According to a Statista study, numerous fatalities in air traffic have been recorded over the years, which illustrates the seriousness of such accidents.

The Indian aviation industry now faces a special responsibility as investigations into the cause of the accident continue. The country mourns the lives lost and hopes for quick clarity for those left behind.