Unfortunately, just minutes after departing International Airport, an Air India aircraft bound for London crashed. A trail of flames, mangled metal and grief-stricken families was the result when the plane, which was carrying 242 individuals (passengers and crew), went down in a field near a residential area.
Only 12 kilometres from the airport, witnesses along the scene of the accident reported hearing a massive explosion before they saw the jet start to lose altitude and nose-dive into exposed land. Widespread panic and confusion were ignited by the instant emergency response to the tragedy, which hurled clouds of thick, black smoke into the air.
Flight
A Boeing wide-body Air India flight departed. Prior to its speed and elevation beginning to rise unsteadily, the aircraft climbed slowly for the initial few minutes, based on flight tracking information.
Within less than ten minutes of the flight, air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane. The alarm sounded after the plane had already dropped out of radar displays, so authorities carried out a speedy search and locate operation.
Emergency Personnel
Firefighters, police, and paramedics converged on the scene of the accident in fifteen minutes. In trying to access trapped survivors inside the fuselage, responders fought incredible heat and navigated through burning wreckage. After rescuing them from the wreckage, emergency responders evacuated several hurt passengers by helicopter to nearby hospitals.
“We witnessed bodies scattered everywhere, seats smashed up, and passengers crying out for assistance,” one witness recalled. It was one of the worst tragedies that I have ever seen. Medical personnel attended to many individuals after establishing a triage station near the site.
Indian Government
On confirmation of the Plane Crash, the Indian government immediately activated its disaster response procedure. Along with local authorities, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) cordoned off the area and initiated large-scale rescue operations. While local members inspected the site to assess the damage, the Prime Minister summoned an emergency meeting with civil aviation officials.
Air India announced a top-level probe into the incident, and the Indian Civil Aviation Ministry dispatched inspectors to the location. A representative from an airline said, “We are committed to absolute transparency.” “We will probe and help all affected families.”
Air India
In a statement, Air India confirmed the accident and established emergency hotlines for relatives of the passengers. The airline’s crisis response team organized flights and accommodations for the families of the individuals involved and began contacting their next of kin.
“We sincerely regret the loss of lives in today’s accident,” Air India stated in a release. We are working closely with the authorities to determine the cause, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.
International Reactions
World leaders reacted in shock and grief. The British prime minister expressed sympathy and said the UK stands ready to help. “This tragedy is heartbreaking.” We extend our condolences to the people of India and families of the victims,” he added. The British High Commission in India set up emergency facilities for the relatives of British citizens believed to have been on board the plane.
Foreign carriers provided technical assistance to support the ongoing investigation, while the U.S. State Department, the United Nations, and global aviation authorities all issued statements of solidarity.
Investigation
India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), conducted the technical investigation. A team of forensic investigators and aviation experts recovered the cockpit voice recorder and black box flight data recorder from the wreckage.
According to initial estimates, a bird strike or technical malfunction could have hit the plane, but officials refused to speculate until they conducted a full investigation. Investigators will examine records to find if the accident was technical or human error.
Nation Reaction
As the country struggled to gauge the extent of the disaster, India declared a national day of mourning. Flags were flown at half-staff, and official buildings and schools had moments of silence. At a candlelight vigil, hundreds of individuals attended, praying and holding photographs of loved ones.
Community groups organized blood donations for the wounded, and religious leaders of all denominations came together for joint prayer services. Social networking websites are filled with sympathy, volunteer efforts, and calls for accountability.
