Air India Flight with 242 People Crashes Near Ahmedabad Airport
Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose death was confirmed by Union Minister C.R. Patil.
AHMEDABAD– A catastrophic plane crash rocked Ahmedabad today as Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at approximately 1:38 p.m. IST.
The flight, carrying 242 people—including 230 passengers and 12 crew members—plummeted into the Meghani Nagar area, striking a doctors’ hostel at B.J. Medical College, triggering a massive fire and widespread devastation.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal with 8,200 hours of flying experience and First Officer Clive Kundar with 1,100 hours, issued a Mayday distress call to Air Traffic Control (ATC) seconds after departing from runway 23 at 1:39 p.m. IST.
No further communication was received, and the plane crashed outside the airport perimeter, descending from a maximum altitude of 825 feet. Visuals from the crash site showed thick black smoke and flames engulfing the wreckage, with debris scattered across a residential area and the medical college hostel.
The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose death was confirmed by Union Minister C.R. Patil.
The crash also claimed the lives of at least five medical students in the hostel’s dining area, where 60 to 80 students were present at the time of impact.
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According to media report, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik reported that 204 bodies have been recovered, with rescue workers estimating 30 to 35 bodies retrieved from the hostel alone.
One passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old Indian-origin British national seated in 11A, miraculously survived and is receiving treatment. Authorities have indicated that the chances of survival for others under treatment are low. The crash’s impact on the residential area also caused an unspecified number of local casualties.
Emergency response teams, including six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units, Indian Army, CRPF, Coast Guard, fire brigades, and ambulances, were swiftly deployed. Over 90 emergency personnel are working to clear the site, with 70-80% of the area reported cleared.
The dense smoke initially hampered operations, but rescue efforts continue. The Civil Aviation Ministry, led by Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, is coordinating with authorities, and Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site to oversee operations.
Air India has activated an emergency center and issued a hotline (1800 5691 444) for families seeking information.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the tragedy as “heartbreaking beyond words,” expressing solidarity with the affected families. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the scenes “devastating,” noting that many British nationals were on board. UN Secretary-General Guterres and US State Secretary Marco Rubio also extended condolences.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with Boeing stating it is gathering more information. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is sending investigators to assist. This marks the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model previously free of hull-loss incidents. The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, had flown from Delhi to Ahmedabad earlier that day and was heavily fueled for the long-haul flight, intensifying the fire.
The crash site, near a densely populated area, has caused significant disruption, with roads closed and airport operations temporarily suspended. The tragedy has sent shockwaves globally, with leaders and citizens mourning the loss. As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on supporting victims’ families and determining the cause of this devastating incident.
For updates, contact Air India at 1800 5691 444 or the Ahmedabad City Police at 07925620359.
This is a developing story, and further details will be provided as they emerge.
