Tragedy Strikes: Air India Flight Crashes Near Ahmedabad Moments After Takeoff
It’s with a heavy heart that I share this devastating news—an Air India flight bound for London has tragically crashed just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. This was Flight AI171, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and it was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
The aircraft went down in the Meghani area, a densely populated neighborhood not far from the airport, sending thick black smoke rising high into the sky—visible for miles around. The crash site quickly turned chaotic, with emergency response teams rushing in to begin rescue efforts. Fire engines, ambulances, police, and disaster response units were immediately deployed. Three teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Gandhinagar were the first to respond, followed by more reinforcements from Vadodara.
At this time, there’s no official confirmation on the number of casualties, but given the intensity of the explosion—fueled by the plane's full tanks for the long-haul international journey—the situation is extremely serious. Eyewitnesses described hearing a thunderous noise followed by fire and debris falling into the surrounding area.
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The flight was being piloted by Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kundar as co-pilot. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed that an investigation is already underway. A technical team from Boeing may also join the inquiry to determine the cause of the crash.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel have both responded swiftly. Shah spoke with Patel and Ahmedabad’s top police officials, promising central government support in managing this tragic event. Patel, meanwhile, issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), expressing deep sorrow and instructing local authorities to act on a “war footing” to rescue survivors and provide immediate medical aid. A green corridor has been established to transport injured individuals quickly to city hospitals.
In its initial statement, Air India confirmed the incident but has yet to release full details. The airline said, “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad–London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details.”
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the last signal from the aircraft was received at just 625 feet, only seconds after takeoff—offering a chilling timeline for what followed. The plane, with registration VT-ANB, had a standard capacity of 256 passengers and frequently operated on major international routes.
This is an ongoing story, and our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, their families, and everyone impacted by this tragic event. More information will emerge in the coming hours, but today, India—and the global aviation community—mourns a terrible loss.
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