Air India Flight AI171 Crashes in Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat

 

Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 – A catastrophic incident occurred today as Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The flight, carrying 232 passengers and 12 crew members, went down in the densely populated Meghani Nagar area at approximately 1:43 PM IST, just five minutes after departing at 1:38 PM.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft, piloted by Captain Sumit Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kunder, issued a Mayday call to Air Traffic Control (ATC) moments before communication was lost. The plane, registered as VT-ANB, was last tracked at an altitude of 625 feet, seconds after takeoff, as reported by Flightradar24. Visuals from the crash site show thick plumes of black smoke and flames, with parts of the aircraft wreckage atop a building in the residential area.

Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was confirmed to be on board, seated in 2D, as per documents accessed by India Today. The plane, heavily fueled for its long-haul journey, erupted into a fireball upon impact, causing significant damage to nearby buildings.

Emergency response teams, including seven fire brigade vehicles and over two dozen ambulances, were swiftly deployed to the scene. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has ordered immediate rescue and relief operations, with a green corridor established to transport the injured to hospitals. Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured full support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the central government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally monitoring the situation, with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu en route to Ahmedabad.

Air India issued a statement: “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. We are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at airindia.com and our X handle (@airindia).” The airline has set up a dedicated hotline (1800 5691 444) for families seeking information. The UK Foreign Office is coordinating with local authorities to provide support.

Flight operations at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have been suspended until further notice. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with initial reports suggesting possible landing gear issues. The DGCA and aviation authorities are working to determine the exact circumstances.

Tata Group, which owns Air India, expressed profound sorrow: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones affected by this devastating event. We are working closely with authorities to support rescue efforts.” Public figures, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Adani Group Chairperson Gautam Adani, have expressed shock and condolences.

Rescue operations continue as authorities work to ascertain the extent of casualties. The nation mourns this tragic loss, and the world watches as Ahmedabad grapples with the aftermath of this disaster.

  Sources: Times of India, The Hindu, India Today, BBC News, Reuters, NDTV, and posts on X.