Ahmedabad (Gujarat), June 12 (ANI): A catastrophic aviation disaster struck Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, crashed during takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The flight, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed just outside the airport perimeter, near a doctors’ hostel in the Meghaninagar area, killing an undetermined number of people. In a miraculous turn, one survivor has been found and is currently hospitalized.
Flight AI171 took off from Runway 23 at approximately 1:38 PM IST (08:09 UTC). Within moments of becoming airborne, the aircraft issued a MAYDAY distress signal, indicating a critical emergency. However, all communication was soon lost, and the aircraft plummeted into a nearby residential structure, igniting a massive fire and sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky. The crash site, located near the airport’s boundary wall, quickly became the center of a full-scale emergency response operation.
The aircraft struck a building that housed a doctors’ hostel, intensifying the scale of the tragedy. Residents nearby reported hearing a loud explosion followed by intense flames and heavy smoke. Emergency services were on site within minutes, and rescue operations commenced immediately.
Three teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising a total of 90 personnel, were dispatched from Gandhinagar to assist with rescue efforts. Additional teams from Vadodara were also mobilized. Firefighters, local police, and medical teams worked through the debris to locate survivors and extinguish the blaze.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik confirmed that one person, seated in 11A, was found alive in the wreckage. “He has been hospitalized and is currently undergoing treatment. We cannot yet confirm the final death toll, but the numbers are likely to be high given the location of the crash,” said Malik.
The Ahmedabad City Police has established an emergency helpline—079-25620359—to assist those seeking information about passengers and rescue efforts.
Air India confirmed the incident in a statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter):
“Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after takeoff. The flight, which departed at 13:38 hours, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian national. Injured passengers are being shifted to the nearest hospitals. A dedicated hotline number, 1800 5691 444, has been set up to provide more information.”
The aircraft was operated by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with over 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours of flight time. The aircraft involved in the accident was registered as VT-ANB.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu expressed his shock and sorrow over the incident:
“Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. We are on the highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. Rescue teams have been mobilized, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are rushed to the site. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.”
An Operational Control Room has been activated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to oversee and coordinate all aspects of the rescue, relief, and investigation process.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, and Police Commissioner G.S. Malik. He assured full assistance and cooperation from the Central government. “Every necessary step is being taken to support rescue efforts and bring clarity to this tragic event,” said Shah.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel responded swiftly by instructing officials to initiate rescue operations without delay and ordered the creation of a green corridor to expedite the transfer of the injured to hospitals. He personally contacted Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi and other senior officials to oversee coordination and ensure adequate hospital arrangements.
As a precautionary measure, all flight operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have been suspended until further notice. Passengers scheduled to travel from Ahmedabad have been advised to contact their airlines directly for updates.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a full investigation into the incident. Preliminary reports confirm that a MAYDAY call was received, but the flight did not respond to subsequent communication. Investigators are now working to recover the black box and cockpit voice recorder to determine the cause of the crash.
Aviation safety experts from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have also been deployed to the site. Air India has pledged full cooperation with authorities during the inquiry.
As families await updates with heavy hearts, and emergency workers continue the grim task of recovery, India is left mourning one of the most tragic air disasters in recent years. The thoughts and prayers of the nation go out to the victims and their families. More details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses and authorities provide updates on the toll and the identities of the deceased. (ANI)
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