At least eight individuals who were not aboard Air India Flight 171 lost their lives as a result of the catastrophic crash in Ahmedabad, according to a senior health official who spoke with the BBC.
Among the victims on the ground were four medical students residing in a hostel that was struck by the aircraft. The other four were family members of other students staying in the same building.
The crash site, located in a densely populated residential area near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, saw parts of the aircraft, including the nose and front landing gear, slam into the hostel’s canteen, where students were reportedly gathered for lunch.
In the aftermath of the disaster, the Indian government is considering grounding the entire Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, as reported by NDTV. This comes following the crash of a Boeing 787 aircraft operated by Air India, which killed more than 240 passengers and crew members. The official death toll is still being confirmed as DNA identification of the victims is ongoing.
According to Kanan Desai, Deputy Commissioner of Police in Ahmedabad, 265 bodies have been recovered so far, implying that at least 24 people on the ground were also killed in addition to those on the flight.
Rescue workers, accompanied by sniffer dogs, are continuing operations at the crash site. Families of the victims are lining up at medical centers to provide DNA samples for the identification process.
One of the aircraft’s two black boxes has been recovered, according to local media reports. Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed that a formal investigation is underway in accordance with international aviation protocols. The investigation team includes officials from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and representatives from Boeing, due to the involvement of British and American nationals among the victims.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ahmedabad early Friday (today), touring both the crash site and the Civil Hospital, where injured individuals are being treated. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he described the devastation as “saddening” and affirmed that rescue and recovery teams were “working tirelessly.”
“This tragedy is beyond words. Our thoughts remain with the families of those who lost their lives,” he stated.
The only survivor from the flight, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is being treated at a local hospital. A doctor told the Associated Press that he was suffering from multiple injuries and appeared disoriented but was no longer in critical condition.
Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India, visited the site on Friday but declined to speak to the media. In a statement issued on Thursday, he expressed “deep sorrow” over the incident and assured the public that the airline would continue to share accurate and timely updates.
To support affected families, Air India and parent company Tata Group have announced financial compensation of ₹10 million (approximately $117,000) to the next of kin of each deceased individual. They have also committed to covering medical expenses for survivors and injured persons.
Air India has established assistance centers at airports in Gatwick, Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad to provide logistical and emotional support to friends and relatives of victims. Travel arrangements are being made to bring family members to Ahmedabad.
In light of the crash and concurrent regional tensions, Air India diverted 16 international flights following a bombing incident in Iran, which has compounded travel disruptions. The airline has issued a statement offering refunds, complimentary rescheduling, and accommodation to affected passengers.
Meanwhile, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has canceled his scheduled appearance at the upcoming Paris Air Show, as the company’s shares dropped by nearly 5% following the incident.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a press briefing that there was “no immediate indication” of systemic safety issues with the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, though he emphasized that the investigation was still in its early stages.
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar expressed gratitude for the outpouring of international condolences, stating on social media: “We appreciate this deeply.”
Security remains tight around the crash site, and one of the main roads leading into the area has been sealed off to facilitate rescue and recovery operations.
As the nation mourns, attention now turns to the outcome of the multi-agency investigation and the long-term implications for India’s aviation sector.
