A woman who missed an Air India flight by only ten minutes is calling it a miracle after the plane crashed into a residential neighborhood in Ahmedabad, India, killing nearly everyone on board.

According to the Daily Mail, the June 12 crash of Air India Flight AI171 killed most of the 242 people aboard after the aircraft plunged into a densely populated area just moments after takeoff.

Flight AI171, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was scheduled to travel from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on a routine international route. The aircraft took off around 1:40 p.m. local time but quickly descended before issuing a mayday call.

The plane reached an altitude of just 625 feet before beginning a rapid descent of approximately 475 feet per minute. It crashed into a neighborhood that included residences, offices, and the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital.

Eyewitness accounts and harrowing footage captured the aircraft losing altitude quickly with its landing gear already deployed, ending in a massive fireball on impact. The crash caused extensive fires and damage to nearby structures.

Crash Impact Felt Across Neighborhood

Rescue teams at the scene described burned wreckage and survivors leaping from buildings in an attempt to escape the flames. Resident Poonam Patni said she saw bodies scattered across the crash site while firefighters continued to fight the blaze.

An unnamed witness whose office is near the site described moments of horror, saying people were seen jumping from upper floors to safety as the fire spread. Debris, including aircraft parts, was found lodged in walls and scattered throughout the area.

The aircraft, first flown in December 2013 and delivered to Air India in January 2014, carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Officials have since confirmed that at least 290 bodies were recovered, which includes victims from both the aircraft and the surrounding area.

Only One Survivor and One Near Miss

Of all those on board, just one person is known to have survived—40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was seated in seat 11A. He recalled hearing a loud noise just 30 seconds after takeoff before the crash occurred.

“When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared,” Ramesh said from a hospital bed, where he is being treated for visible injuries. He described waking in the wreckage, fleeing the scene, and being rescued by emergency personnel.

Ramesh’s brother was also on board the flight, but has not yet been confirmed among the survivors. The passenger list included 159 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, along with 11 children, including two newborns.

Traffic Delay May Have Saved Life

Another would-be passenger, Bhoomi Chauhan, missed the flight by just ten minutes due to a traffic jam en route to the airport. Speaking to reporters, she called her narrow escape a divine act.

“I am completely devastated after hearing about the loss,” she said, adding that her “body is shivering” and her thoughts are with the victims' families. She expressed gratitude to a Hindu deity, attributing her safety to divine blessing.

“My mind is blank now after hearing all that has happened,” Chauhan said. “I am thankful to God. My Ganpati Bappa saved me.”

Global Leaders React to Tragedy

The accident marked the first major disaster involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, according to the Aviation Safety Network. The model has been considered one of the safest in operation since its launch.

In response to the accident, world leaders expressed deep sorrow. The King of the United Kingdom said he was “desperately shocked” by the event, while U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called it “devastating.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the event was “heartbreaking beyond words,” and Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran labeled it a “tragic accident” and “devastating event.”

Investigation and Industry Scrutiny Begin

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that the aircraft issued a mayday signal just before the crash. Investigations are underway to determine the cause.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in the U.K. activated crisis response teams in both countries, working to aid affected families. Gatwick Airport reported no disruptions to its operations aside from one canceled flight to Goa.

Air India, now owned by the Tata Group since 2022, has been under scrutiny for past issues, including delayed flights and maintenance complaints caused by funding shortages. The airline operates 12 flights weekly to Gatwick.