Air India Plane Crash In Ahmedabad | A devastating aviation tragedy unfolded on Thursday afternoon when Air India flight AI171, bound for London’s Gatwick airport, crashed just five minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Authorities said except one, all the others are dead.
The aircraft issued a mayday distress call shortly after departure but lost contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) moments later. It went down near the Meghaninagar area, just beyond the airport perimeter. Eyewitnesses and officials reported thick black smoke engulfing the site as seven fire engines were dispatched to contain the blaze. All flight operations at the airport have been suspended.
PM Modi Calls Air India Plane Crash “Heartbreaking”
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the flight departed from Runway 23 at 1:38 PM IST (08:09 UTC) and crashed five minutes later. Onboard were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national, and seven Portuguese nationals.
Flightradar24, a global flight tracking platform, reported the aircraft’s signal was lost at just 625 feet altitude. (Theorist photo)
The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain (LTC) with 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had clocked 1,100 hours of flying time.
Flightradar24, a global flight tracking platform, reported the aircraft’s signal was lost at just 625 feet altitude, an alarmingly low height for a jet fully fuelled for a long-haul international journey.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over the crash: “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it.”
He confirmed being in touch with Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, instructing them to travel to Ahmedabad and oversee emergency efforts.
National and International Leaders Respond, Helplines Activated
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said: “Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site.”
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel added that urgent medical arrangements had been made, including a green corridor, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured full central assistance, including NDRF deployment.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reacting to reports of British nationals on board, said: “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. My thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.”
Air India has issued a dedicated passenger hotline at 1800 5691 444, and the Ahmedabad City Police has launched an emergency helpline at 07925620359 for information and assistance related to the crash.
