Tragic Air India Flight AI171 Crashes Near Ahmedabad Airport, Killing At Least 133.
A devastating aviation disaster struck Ahmedabad today when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) at 1:38 p.m. IST. The flight, carrying 242 passengers and crew, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals, plunged into the Meghaninagar area near the airport, resulting in at least 133 fatalities, according to initial reports from News18.
The aircraft, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal with 8,200 hours of flight experience and First Officer Clive Kundar with 1,100 hours, issued a MAYDAY call to Air Traffic Control (ATC) moments after departure from runway 23, indicating a critical issue. The plane lost contact with ATC and crashed within five minutes, at approximately 1:43 p.m., into a residential area near Forensic Cross Road, triggering a massive fire and thick black smoke visible from Dharpur.
Immediate Response and Rescue Efforts
Emergency services, including fire tenders and rescue teams, were swiftly dispatched to the crash site. Fire officer Jayesh Khadia confirmed that efforts were underway to extinguish the blaze, while injured passengers were transported to nearby hospitals, including the city civil hospital. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, in coordination with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, ensured a “green corridor” was established to facilitate rapid medical transport for survivors.
Air India released a statement on X, expressing profound sorrow: “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 on airindia.com and our X handle.” The airline also established a 24/7 emergency helpline (1800-569-1444) and additional contact numbers (011-24610843, 9650391859) for families seeking information.
Passenger Details and Notable Figures
Among the 242 passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, as confirmed by Air India’s passenger list. The flight included 232 passengers and 10 crew members, with a diverse group of nationalities: 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. Authorities have not yet released a full casualty list, but sources cited by Hindustan Times suggest the chances of survivors are slim due to the intensity of the crash and resulting fire.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “heartbreaking beyond words” and stated he was closely monitoring the situation, ordering immediate rescue and relief operations. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who was in Vijayawada, rushed to Ahmedabad to oversee response efforts. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov also expressed condolences, with Alipov calling it a “tragic major catastrophe.”
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, with initial suspicions pointing to a possible engineering fault following recent refurbishing of the aircraft. Flightradar data indicates the plane lost signal at 625 feet, less than a minute after takeoff, suggesting a rapid and catastrophic failure. This marks the first recorded crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, raising concerns about the aircraft’s safety record, despite its history of over five million journeys since 2011.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has suspended all flight operations indefinitely, causing significant disruptions. The crash site, located in a residential area, has been cordoned off by Gujarat Police, with Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik noting that further details on casualties and the aircraft’s condition are still being verified.
The incident has sent shockwaves globally, with the UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, pledging full support to those affected, particularly the 53 British nationals on board. The UK Foreign Office is working with Indian authorities to provide assistance. Boeing, the aircraft’s manufacturer, has been contacted for comment as its stock fell 7.8% in premarket trading following the crash.
This tragedy, one of the worst aviation disasters in India’s recent history, has reignited discussions about flight safety and emergency response systems. The crash follows other notable incidents, such as the July 2000 Alliance Air Flight 7412 crash in Patna, which killed 60 people. Authorities are expected to release further updates on the cause and casualty toll as investigations progress.
The nation mourns as rescue operations continue, and the world awaits answers about this catastrophic event.
