Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad: Tragic Incident Leaves Nation in ShockOn June 12, 2025, a catastrophic event unfolded in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171, crashed into a residential area shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The London-bound flight, carrying 242 passengers and crew, plunged into the Meghani Nagar area, triggering a massive emergency response and leaving a trail of devastation. This article provides a detailed overview of the incident, its aftermath, and ongoing developments.
An Air India plane with 242 people onboard on Thursday crashed in Gujarat’s Meghani Nagar area near Ahmedabad airport. Visuals of the plane crash site shared on social media shows thick willow of smoke emanating from the area.
The aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1:39 pm from… pic.twitter.com/kTltgnnhSC
— The Tatva (@thetatvaindia) June 12, 2025
Details of the Air India Plane CrashFlight AI171: The Ill-Fated JourneyAir India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM IST on June 12, 2025, en route to London Gatwick Airport. The aircraft, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (with 8,200 hours of flying experience) and First Officer Clive Kundar (1,100 hours), carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members, totaling 242 people on board. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens. Notably, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was reportedly among the passengers, as confirmed by sources and his boarding pass.Just five minutes after takeoff, at an altitude of approximately 625 feet, the aircraft issued a “Mayday” distress call to Air Traffic Control (ATC), indicating a severe emergency. Communication was lost shortly after, and the plane crashed into a residential area near the airport, specifically impacting a doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College in Meghani Nagar. The aircraft, heavily fueled for the long-haul flight, exploded upon impact, creating a massive fireball and thick plumes of black smoke visible from areas as far as Vastrapur.Immediate Aftermath and CasualtiesThe crash caused widespread destruction, with debris scattered across the site and part of the aircraft landing atop a building. Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos, with one resident recounting to PTI, “I was at home when we heard a massive sound. When we went out, there was a layer of thick smoke in the air. Dead bodies and debris were scattered all over.” While official casualty figures are yet to be fully confirmed, India’s federal health minister reported that “many people” were killed, and sources suggest the chances of survivors are slim due to the intensity of the crash and fire.At least 133 fatalities have been reported, though this number may rise as rescue operations continue. Emergency services, including seven fire engines, over two dozen ambulances, and three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 90 personnel from Gandhinagar, with additional teams from Vadodara, were deployed to the site. The injured are being rushed to nearby hospitals, and a green corridor has been established to facilitate their transport.Official Response and InvestigationGovernment and Airline ResponsePrime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief, stating on X, “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words.” He personally contacted Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Home Minister Amit Shah, directing them to travel to Ahmedabad to oversee rescue and relief operations. Shah, who spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, assured full central government support.Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who is monitoring the situation, said, “We are on highest alert. I have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action.” The Ministry of Civil Aviation activated an Operational Control Room with hotline numbers (011-24610843 and 9650391859) to coordinate efforts. Air India also issued a dedicated passenger hotline (1800-5691-444) for families seeking information.Air India confirmed the incident in a statement: “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest.” The airline’s social media profiles were turned black as a mark of mourning.Airport Operations HaltedFollowing the crash, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, operated by the Adani Group, was temporarily shut down, with all flight operations suspended until further notice. This has caused significant disruptions, with flights to and from Ahmedabad, including those from Delhi, delayed or canceled. Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, expressed condolences on X, stating, “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragedy of Air India Flight 171. We are working closely with all authorities and extending full support to the families on the ground.”Investigation UnderwayThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, crashed immediately after takeoff. The DGCA, along with Directorate of Airworthiness officials already present in Ahmedabad, is gathering details to determine the cause. This is the first recorded crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model previously lauded for its safety record. Boeing issued a statement saying, “We are aware of initial reports and are working to gather more information.” The crash has led to a 6.5-7% plunge in Boeing’s share price in pre-market trading, reflecting market concerns.Preliminary data from Flightradar24 indicates the aircraft lost signal at 625 feet, descending at 475 feet per minute. The issuance of a Mayday call suggests the pilots encountered a critical issue, but the exact cause—whether mechanical failure, human error, or external factors—remains under investigation.International and Local ReactionsGlobal CondolencesThe crash, involving 53 British nationals, prompted a response from the UK government. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the scenes “devastating,” while London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed solidarity, stating, “My thoughts are with the family & friends of those on board.” The UK Foreign Office is working with Indian authorities to provide consular assistance, with a hotline (020 7008 5000) for British nationals. Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles is being kept updated.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other Indian leaders, including former cricketer Yusuf Pathan, expressed condolences. Celebrities such as Sunny Deol, Parineeti Chopra, and Riteish Deshmukh also shared their grief, with Deol stating, “Can’t imagine the pain of the family members.”Community ImpactThe crash site, a residential area near the airport, has left locals in shock. The plane’s impact on a doctors’ hostel and surrounding buildings caused significant damage, with visuals showing debris and a wheel atop a structure. Police have sealed off access roads, and a senior officer reported that 70-80% of the area has been cleared, with ongoing efforts to manage the wreckage.Historical Context and Safety ConcernsThis is the first crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model introduced 14 years ago with a strong safety record until now. The last fatal Air India crash occurred in August 2020, when an Air India Express Boeing 737-800 overshot the runway at Kozhikode, killing 21 people. The Ahmedabad incident marks one of India’s worst aviation tragedies in recent years, raising questions about safety protocols and the Boeing 787’s reliability.The heavy fuel load, necessary for the long-haul flight, likely intensified the explosion and fire, complicating rescue efforts. The aviation community and regulators will likely scrutinize this incident, especially given Boeing’s recent challenges with its 737 programs.What’s Next?Rescue operations continue, with emergency teams working tirelessly to locate survivors and manage the aftermath. The Gujarat government has set up a control room at the State Emergency Operation Centre to assist families. The DGCA and international aviation experts are expected to conduct a thorough investigation, with the black box (flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder) being critical to understanding the cause.Air India, now under Tata Group ownership since 2022, faces a significant challenge in addressing public concerns and supporting affected families. The airline’s merger with Vistara in 2024 had aimed to bolster its reputation, but this tragedy could impact passenger confidence.ConclusionThe Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad is a heartbreaking tragedy that has claimed numerous lives and left a nation mourning. As rescue operations and investigations proceed, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and uncovering the cause to prevent future incidents. For the latest updates, stay tuned to our news website, and contact the Air India hotline (1800-5691-444) or the Ministry of Civil Aviation (011-24610843, 9650391859) for assistance.
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