Over 200 people have died in the tragic crash of an Air India plane in the Indian city of Ahmedabad. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, flying from Ahmedabad to London (flight AI171), crashed shortly after takeoff into a residential area of Meghaninagar, near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport.

There were 242 people on board the flight, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Among the passengers were 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. According to initial official passenger lists, there were no Czech citizens on board.

According to Reuters and local media, rescuers have recovered at least 100 bodies from the wreckage, while other people remain trapped under the debris. The plane crashed into a building of the B. J. Medical College, raising concerns about further casualties among the civilian population, particularly medical students. Indian television channel CNN News-18 reported that a significant number of medical students were among the victims.

Although initial reports from local police, cited by agencies AP and AFP, indicated that no one survived the crash, later reports emerged suggesting that there may have been two survivors. Reuters, citing Indian media and police, reported that one survivor was found in seat 11A and another was hospitalized. The BBC specifically mentioned a British survivor named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was conscious and gave a brief statement. However, this information has not been fully confirmed.

The crash occurred shortly after 1:38 PM local time (10:08 AM CET), when the plane sent a "Mayday" distress signal, but then lost contact with air traffic control and crashed within five minutes. Videos on social media show the plane flying very low before hitting the building and exploding, with thick black smoke rising over the crash site. An eyewitness told The Times of India that the scene was full of debris and dead bodies, surrounded by thick smoke. Firefighters were working intensely to extinguish the fire at the scene.

The cause of the crash is not yet clear. Videos show that the plane climbed to an altitude of approximately 200 meters, then began to lose speed and had its landing gear extended, suggesting that the crew was trying to address a problem. Some local media speculate that a bird strike may have been the cause of the crash, but this hypothesis has not been confirmed.

Air India issued a statement on the social media platform X, confirming the incident and promising further updates. Boeing said that it was aware of the crash and was gathering more information. The aircraft manufacturer's shares fell by 6.8% before the stock market opened following the release of the news. The international airport in Ahmedabad has suspended all operations and has mobilized rescue services.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for all possible support to be provided to the victims and their families. This crash is considered the worst air disaster in the last decade. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with experts and authorities focusing on the data from the flight recorders and the testimony of rescuers and witnesses.

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