Ahmedabad was plunged into tragedy on Thursday as an Air India flight carrying 242 people, including 53 British nationals, crashed barely five minutes after takeoff from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick, went down in a residential area near Meghaninagar, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and triggering urgent rescue efforts by state and central agencies.
The aircraft, operating as AI171, took off at 1:38 PM and reportedly issued a MAYDAY call shortly after departure. However, no further communication could be established. Moments later, it plummeted into a densely populated area just beyond the airport perimeter, causing widespread alarm and chaos. Initial visuals shared across social media showed intense smoke and fire at the crash site, raising fears of extensive damage and possible casualties on the ground.
Air India confirmed that the passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese and one Canadian. The flight also had a 12-member crew. While the full status of those on board remains unverified, authorities are working urgently to determine the condition of passengers and crew. Emergency services, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were swiftly deployed. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu arrived at the site on the Prime Minister’s directive to oversee relief and coordination.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern and called for a full-scale investigation. “All relevant agencies have been mobilised. The focus is on relief and accountability,” read a statement from the PMO. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also visited the crash site and activated a green corridor for transporting the injured. Hospitals across Ahmedabad have been placed on high alert, with directions to prioritise emergency care.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani may have been on board, though official confirmation is awaited. The potential involvement of high-profile passengers has further intensified national attention on the incident, drawing responses from political leaders across the country. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and others expressed solidarity with those affected.
The Tata Group, which owns Air India, released a statement via Chairman N Chandrasekaran: “With profound sorrow I confirm the loss of AI171. We are supporting emergency responders and families with all resources available. An emergency centre has been activated to handle communications and next-of-kin assistance.”
In global markets, Boeing’s shares fell 7.8% in early Wall Street trading following the news. The aviation giant has already faced heightened scrutiny over technical concerns, and this incident is expected to further intensify calls for tighter oversight of aircraft safety, particularly in India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector.
As Ahmedabad begins to grapple with the aftermath, serious questions are being raised about the aircraft’s readiness, maintenance protocols, and emergency response capabilities. Airport operations were temporarily suspended, and a sombre mood now hangs over the city.
The full impact of this aviation crisis—human, infrastructural, and institutional—is still unfolding. What remains immediate is the collective anxiety of families awaiting news, the urgency of rescue and recovery operations, and the pressing need for transparency and accountability from all stakeholders.
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