Fact Check: "The crash of Air India's flight AI-171 occurred less than 40 seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2023, resulting in 241 fatalities among the 242 people on board."
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, bound for London Gatwick. The aircraft took off at 13:38 IST and reportedly lost contact with air traffic control approximately 36 seconds later, indicating a mayday call was issued shortly after takeoff due to a loss of power and thrust (Wikipedia). The flight was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Tragically, only one passenger survived the crash, while at least 38 individuals on the ground were also killed (BBC, Reuters).
Analysis
The claim that the crash resulted in "241 fatalities among the 242 people on board" is inaccurate. The correct information is that there was one survivor, bringing the total fatalities to 241, including both those on the aircraft and those on the ground. The crash was indeed catastrophic, with a significant loss of life, but the details about the number of survivors and fatalities are critical for an accurate understanding of the event.
The sources used to verify this information include reputable outlets such as the BBC and Wikipedia, which provide detailed accounts of the crash and its aftermath. The BBC article outlines the identities of some victims and confirms the number of fatalities, while Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of the incident, including the timeline and circumstances leading up to the crash (BBC, Wikipedia). Both sources are credible, with the BBC being a well-respected news organization and Wikipedia being a widely used reference that aggregates information from various reliable sources.
However, the claim's phrasing could lead to confusion, as it suggests that all but one person died on the flight, which is misleading without the context that one person survived. The mention of "less than 40 seconds after take-off" is accurate, as the mayday call was made 36 seconds post-takeoff, but the overall context of the claim is misleading regarding the total fatalities.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that "the crash of Air India's flight AI-171 occurred less than 40 seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2023, resulting in 241 fatalities among the 242 people on board" is misleading. While the crash did occur shortly after takeoff and the total fatalities were indeed 241, it is essential to clarify that one passenger survived the incident. This critical detail alters the interpretation of the claim significantly.
Sources
- Who are the victims of the Air India plane crash?
- Air India crash live: More than 240 killed when London ...
- Air India Flight 171 - Wikipedia
- What could have caused Air India plane to crash in ...
- What we know so far about the Air India flight 171 crash
- "UPDATE: Air India confirms that flight AI171, operating ...
- Air India crash refuels Boeing and airline's problems
- Air India plane crashes in Ahmedabad with 242 people on ...