A London-bound Air India flight carrying 242 people has crashed shortly after take-off in the densely populated Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The aircraft, flight AI171, departed from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 pm local time. Just minutes into its journey to London Gatwick, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner sent out a distress call before disappearing from radar. It crashed into a residential area, causing a massive fire and chaos near the airport.
According to Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, director-general of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, the plane was carrying 232 passengers and 12 crew members, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian national.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was reportedly among the passengers on board. Local police and Air India officials have not confirmed fatalities, but say injured passengers are being rushed to nearby hospitals, and emergency operations are ongoing.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of the Tata Group, which owns Air India, said on X:
“With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad–London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event. At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted. Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support teams have been set up for families seeking information.”
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken stock of the situation and Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu is rushing to Ahmedabad to assess the situation.
Minister Kinjarapu, said he was “shocked and devastated” by the accident.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families. 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 mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site,” the minister said.
The UK embassy in India has taken stock of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. The Gatwick bound plane was carrying 53 British nationals.
“We are aware that a flight from Ahmedabad to London has crashed near Ahmedabad airport. We are working with local authorities to urgently establish the facts and provide support. Our thoughts are with all those affected,” reads the official statement.
Flightradar24 reported that the aircraft gave a “Mayday” call shortly after take-off from runway 23, but lost contact within seconds. The last signal was received just moments after departure.
The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB.
Air India has activated an emergency hotline (1800 5691 444) for families seeking information and confirmed it is fully cooperating with authorities investigating the crash.
In light of the AI171 crash, an Operational Control Room has also been activated at the Ministry of Civil Aviation to coordinate all details. Contact: 011-24610843 | 9650391859
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