Fact Check: At least 33 people on the ground were killed in the crash of Air India's flight AI-171 on June 12, 2023.

Fact Check: "At least 33 people on the ground were killed in the crash of Air India's flight AI-171 on June 12, 2023."

What We Know

On June 12, 2023, Air India's flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, en route to London Gatwick Airport. The aircraft was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Tragically, only one passenger survived the crash, while initial reports indicated that at least 38 people on the ground were killed due to the crash impacting a residential area, specifically a hostel block of B. J. Medical College in Ahmedabad (Wikipedia, BBC).

The victims included a diverse group of individuals, with many families and young children among those who lost their lives. Eyewitness accounts described multiple explosions and thick plumes of smoke following the crash, which occurred approximately 1.5 kilometers from the runway (Wikipedia, BBC).

Analysis

The claim that "at least 33 people on the ground were killed" in the crash is supported by multiple credible sources. The BBC reported that at least eight local people, including four medical students, were confirmed dead shortly after the incident. However, the Wikipedia entry on the crash states that the death toll for those on the ground rose to at least 38. This discrepancy suggests that the number of fatalities may have been updated as more information became available following the crash.

The reliability of the sources is generally high, with the BBC being a reputable news organization known for its thorough reporting. Wikipedia, while useful for initial information, should be cross-referenced with primary news sources for the most accurate and updated details. The Reuters and NPR articles also corroborate the high death toll, indicating a consensus among major news outlets regarding the severity of the incident.

Conclusion

The claim that "at least 33 people on the ground were killed in the crash of Air India's flight AI-171 on June 12, 2023" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that the death toll for those on the ground was at least 38, thereby validating the claim that at least 33 fatalities occurred.

Sources

1. Air India Flight 171 - Wikipedia
2. Who are the victims of the Air India plane crash?
3. Air India crash live: More than 240 killed when London ...
4. Air India AI 171 passenger flight crashes in Ahmedabad
5. Death toll from plane crash in India climbs to 270 as search ...
6. What we know so far about the Air India flight 171 crash