Tragedy Strikes: Air India Flight AI171 Crashes After Takeoff from Ahmedabad, All 242 Onboard Feared Dead
In a devastating blow to India’s aviation history, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (VT-ANB) operating as Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday afternoon, killing all 242 people on board.
Among the passengers were 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. The flight carried two pilots and ten cabin crew members.
However, later reports say that one Indian, now a British national, survived the crash, and he is being treated in a hospital.
The aircraft lost altitude and went down just nine minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), crashing into the residential quarters of doctors associated with BJ Medical College in the Meghaninagar area.
The impact caused a massive fire, engulfing several apartment buildings and vehicles. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and destruction, with dense smoke hampering early rescue efforts.
While Air India issued a preliminary statement confirming an “incident” involving Flight AI171, a formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Senior officials, including the Director General of the AAIB, are en route to Ahmedabad to lead the probe.
The Boeing 787-8 involved in the crash was a relatively new aircraft, delivered to Air India in 2014. Known for its cutting-edge technology and strong safety record, the Dreamliner series had, until now, not seen a fatal accident since its introduction.
The scene of the crash painted a grim picture. Buildings within the BJ Medical College complex caught fire, injuring several residents.
“There are multiple five-storey blocks here. Many people were injured as their homes were damaged or caught fire,” said one resident. Eyewitnesses also reported that several parked vehicles were gutted in the fire.
The government swiftly responded. SVPIA has been shut down indefinitely, and nine flights from Delhi to Gujarat were cancelled due to operational disruption.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, deeply moved by the tragedy, expressed his condolences. “This incident has stunned and saddened everyone. My prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones,” he said.
Condolences poured in from across the country. The Chief Justice of India and the judges of the Supreme Court expressed solidarity with the victims and extended their prayers to the affected families and the medical community living in the crash zone.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also shared his sorrow, stating, “The tragic news of the plane crash is deeply painful. I offer prayers for the departed souls and hope that such horrifying events never repeat.”
Air India has set up a dedicated passenger support hotline — 1800 5691 444 — for the families of those affected, and has pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
As emergency crews continue clearing the wreckage and supporting survivors in the surrounding area, India mourns not only the lives lost in the sky but also the lives disrupted on the ground — a grim reminder of the fragility of life, even amid the marvels of modern aviation.
