A tragic air disaster struck Ahmedabad on Thursday as a London-bound Air India Boeing Dreamliner crashed just minutes after takeoff, killing all 242 people on board in one of the deadliest aviation accidents in India in nearly three decades.
The ill-fated flight AI-171, operated using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration VT-ANB), departed from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 PM. Within five minutes, the aircraft crashed into residential quarters near BJ Medical College in Meghaninagar, causing a massive blaze and widespread devastation in the densely populated area.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the incident and said the crash occurred shortly after the aircraft lifted off from runway 23. The flight was en route to London Gatwick Airport and was carrying 242 individuals, including 229 passengers and 13 crew members. Air India reported that among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Eyewitness Accounts and Emergency Response
Locals reported a loud explosion followed by a column of black smoke rising from the crash site. Residents rushed to help, with many attempting to assist rescue efforts before emergency responders arrived. All flight operations at the Ahmedabad airport were temporarily suspended following the crash.
Emergency teams, including disaster response forces and fire services, were immediately dispatched. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will lead a detailed probe into the cause of the tragedy.
Leadership Responds with Grief and Action
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it “heartbreaking beyond words.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. My thoughts are with everyone affected. I have been in touch with ministers and local authorities to ensure all necessary assistance is being extended.”
Home Minister Amit Shah also shared his condolences, saying he was “pained beyond words” and had spoken with Gujarat’s Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, state home minister Harsh Sanghavi, and Ahmedabad’s police commissioner to assess the situation. Shah is en route to Ahmedabad to oversee relief operations.
Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu stated that he is personally monitoring the situation and has directed swift action from all aviation and emergency agencies. “We are on the highest alert,” he said in a social media post.
Air India and Government Set Up Emergency Hotlines
Air India has established a dedicated hotline (1800 5691 444) for families seeking information. The Ministry of Civil Aviation also set up an operational control room with the numbers 011-24610843 and 9650391859 for coordination.
Ahmedabad City Police released an emergency contact number (07925620359) for public assistance and updates related to the crash.
Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran extended his condolences and stated, “Our primary focus is on supporting the affected families. Emergency response teams have been mobilised and are working in coordination with local authorities.”
Flight Details and Crew Information
According to Air India, the aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kunder as co-pilot. The flight was expected to land at London’s Gatwick Airport at 6:25 PM local time.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the crash site and instructed officials to carry out relief and medical efforts on a war footing. He said arrangements had been made for a green corridor to transport any injured individuals and ensure immediate medical treatment.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Investigation Underway
While the exact cause of the crash remains unknown, investigators from the AAIB have begun collecting evidence from the site. Experts say the final report could take months, but the DGCA is expected to provide a preliminary assessment soon.
This incident marks one of the darkest days in India’s aviation history since the 1996 mid-air collision over Charkhi Dadri. The nation mourns the loss of all passengers and crew, as families await further details and support from authorities.
