A woman who narrowly missed her flight to London by a mere 10 minutes due to traffic escaped a catastrophic crash that claimed the lives of hundreds on board. Bhoomi Chauhan was scheduled to travel from Ahmedabad, India, to the UK on Air India flight 171 but was delayed on her journey to the airport.
Speaking to Republic TV, she said: “I am completely devastated after hearing about the loss (of lives). My body is literally shivering. I am not able to talk. My mind is totally blank now after hearing all that has happened.”
After failing to catch the flight, which departed at approximately 1.38pm and tragically crashed shortly after takeoff, Chauhan left Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 1.30pm. Overwhelmed by the incident, she said: “My mind is totally blank. I am thankful to God. My Ganpati Bappa saved me.”
Chauhan, who lives in London with her husband and had been visiting India for a holiday, continued: “Just because of those ten minutes, I could not board the flight. I don’t know how to explain this.”
The ill-fated aircraft was carrying over 240 passengers, including 53 British nationals, and was en route to Gatwick Airport when it met with disaster near Ahmedabad Airport in western India, bursting into flames and sending plumes of black smoke into the sky, reports the Mirror.
Earlier, police reported that there seemed to be no survivors from the crash. However, astonishingly, a British man claims he was on the plane when it crashed and has only sustained minor injuries.
Out of the 242 passengers onboard Air India Flight 171, local authorities have confirmed the recovery of at least 204 bodies from the crash site near Ahmedabad Airport.
A section of the aircraft tragically landed on the dining area of B.J. Medical College, resulting in the death of at least five medical students and nearly 50 injured.
In an incredible turn of events, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, who was onboard the flight, claims he survived the fatal crash.
Tata Sons, the owner of Air India, has announced that it will provide approximately £86,000 to the families of each victim of the Ahmedabad plane crash.
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