A passenger who traveled on the ill-fated Air India Boeing 787 aircraft just hours before it crashed at London's Gatwick Airport has revealed disturbing details about the plane's condition prior to the disaster that claimed 241 lives.

Akash Vatsa, an Indian national, disclosed that he noticed "unusual things" about the aircraft during his journey from Delhi to Ahmedabad, just two hours before the same plane departed for its fatal flight to London on Thursday.

"I was on the same damn flight 2 hours before it took off from AMD. I came in on this from DEL-AMD. Noticed unusual things in the place," Vatsa wrote in a statement on his X account.

According to Vatsa, the aircraft's air conditioning system and other electronic facilities were not functioning properly during his flight. These revelations raise serious questions about the aircraft's airworthiness and maintenance protocols prior to the catastrophic crash.

Crash Details and Casualties

BenriNews earlier reported that the Air India flight lost signal shortly after departing from Ahmedabad airport. The aircraft was carrying 242 passengers, including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian national.

Reports indicate that only one person survived the crash, with 241 passengers feared dead. The sole survivor's identity and condition have not yet been disclosed by authorities.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as "heartbreaking beyond words" as the nation grapples with one of its worst aviation disasters in recent history.

Airline Response and Investigation

Air India has deployed a special team of carers to Ahmedabad to provide support to ground teams and affected families. In a statement on X, the airline said: "We are working with local authorities to provide necessary assistance and are extending full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident."

Aviation authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the crash. Experts will likely examine Vatsa's claims about the aircraft's condition as part of their inquiry into potential mechanical failures or maintenance oversights.

World leaders, including Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have sent condolences to Prime Minister Modi over the tragic loss of life.

Aviation safety experts note that Boeing 787 aircraft have generally maintained a strong safety record, making this incident particularly concerning for the aviation industry.

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