Air India Flight AI171 Crashes near Ahmedabad with 242 Onboard

KAKALI DAS

A tragic air disaster struck western India today as Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for Gatwick Airport in London, crashed just minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing and injuring an as-yet-unknown number of people.

The aircraft, which had 242 people onboard, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national, and seven Portuguese nationals – lost radar contact less than a minute after lifting off from Runway 23 at 1:39 PM IST.

The signal was lost at just 625 feet above ground level, a concerningly low altitude. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing thick black smoke billowing from a residential area near the airport perimeter, where the plane went down.

Images from the crash site circulating online and in media reports show smoldering wreckage, damaged buildings, and injured passengers being carried away on stretchers.

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Fire crews, police, and rescue personnel were seen working amidst the rubble and flames, attempting to douse the fires and pull survivors from the wreckage. The full extent of casualties and damage is yet to be officially confirmed.

The 11-year-old aircraft, known as a Dreamliner, was operated by two pilots and ten cabin crew members. Shortly after departure, the crew issued a “Mayday” distress call to Air Traffic Control (ATC), indicating a severe emergency. However, no further communication was received before the plane plummeted outside the airport boundary.

Authorities have temporarily suspended operations at Ahmedabad Airport following the incident. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been tasked with launching a formal probe into the crash.

The cause of the crash is not yet known. While speculation ranges from a technical failure to engine malfunction, officials have urged the public to refrain from drawing conclusions until the investigation is complete.

In response to the tragedy, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Gujarat’s Chief Minister and the city’s Police Commissioner, pledging all necessary assistance on the ground. Civil Aviation Minister JyotiradityaScindia also expressed shock and devastation, stating that emergency agencies have been directed to act swiftly and in a coordinated manner.

“We are personally monitoring the situation and have put all concerned agencies on the highest alert,” he said in a statement.

Politicians from across the political spectrum have expressed deep concern and extended condolences to the families of those affected. The mood across the country and abroad remains grim, with many awaiting confirmation of the fate of loved ones on board.

Initial visuals from the scene depict widespread devastation—residential buildings damaged by the impact, debris engulfed in flames, and emergency vehicles lining the streets. Witnesses in the locality described scenes of chaos and panic, with the sound of the explosion heard from several kilometers away.

While hospitals in Ahmedabad have been placed on high alert and are currently treating several injured survivors, many others remain unaccounted for. Air India, in an official statement, has confirmed the accident involving flight AI171 and has assured that it is providing all possible support to the victims and their families.

This incident marks one of the gravest aviation tragedies in India in recent years and raises serious questions about the aircraft’s condition and pre-flight inspections.

The aviation sector, already under intense scrutiny for safety standards, now faces renewed pressure to enforce stricter operational and maintenance protocols.

As rescue operations continue late into the evening, the nation, and indeed the world, waits anxiously for clarity, accountability, and above all, hope for survivors.

12-06-2025

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