An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating from Ahmedabad to London with 242 passengers onboard, crashed shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad airport today, triggering a massive emergency response. The crash occurred in the Meghani Nagar area, near the airport, sending thick smoke rising into the sky.
What Exactly Happened?
Air India Flight AI 171 took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM bound for London Gatwick. Moments later, the aircraft abruptly lost altitude and crashed into the densely populated Meghani Nagar locality, causing severe damage and sparking immediate rescue operations.
Passenger Details
The flight carried 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian, and 7 Portuguese citizens. Casualty figures remain unclear as rescue operations continue.
Immediate Response and Rescue Efforts
Local residents were the initial responders, quickly followed by emergency teams from the Ahmedabad Fire Brigade, medical units, and approximately 400 CISF and CRPF personnel. The Indian Army has also mobilised roughly 130 personnel, including engineers equipped with JCBs, medical teams, Quick Action Teams (QATs), firefighting assets, and provost staff for site management. The Military Hospital is on standby.
Operational and Helpline Support
The Ministry of Civil Aviation activated an Operational Control Room with helpline numbers: 011-24610843 | 9650391859. A dedicated passenger hotline is also operational: 1800 5691 444.
UPDATES:
- Ahmedabad Airport Operations: Temporarily suspended immediately after the crash; operations resumed at 4:05 PM IST.
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB): A special investigation team, including the AAIB Director General, has been dispatched to the crash site.
- Former Gujarat CM Onboard: Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was reportedly aboard. BJP leader Bhupendrasinh Chudasama has visited the civil hospital to inquire about his status.
- Medical College Hostel Impacted: The aircraft crashed into the BJ Medical College undergraduate hostel mess. Reports indicate several medical students have been injured, with official confirmation awaited.
- Boeing Shares Impacted: Boeing shares fell by 8% in pre-market U.S. trading following the incident.
Reactions and Condolences:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Expressed deep anguish, describing the crash as “heartbreaking beyond words.”
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah: Assured full central government assistance and coordinated with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel.
- Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel: Activated emergency measures, including green corridors for medical treatment.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh: Conveyed profound sorrow and extended thoughts and prayers to affected families.
- UK Government Response: British PM Keir Starmer called the visuals “devastating.” UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed active support to British nationals.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin: Sent deepest condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi, expressing solidarity with affected families.
- Chief Justice of India: Expressed concern for affected students and offered condolences.
- Opposition Leaders: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and regional leaders including M.K. Stalin, Mamata Banerjee, Siddaramaiah, and Revanth Reddy expressed shock and urged swift relief efforts.
- International Solidarity: Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu expressed profound sadness and solidarity with India.
This tragic crash evokes memories of a similar incident on October 19, 1988, when Indian Airlines Flight 113 crashed near Ahmedabad, killing 133 people.
(More details awaited…)