Goa has declared State Mourning on 13 June 2025 following the tragic crash of a London-bound Air India Dreamliner in Ahmedabad. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off, claiming several lives. In solidarity with the victims’ families, all official celebrations, public events, and government-supported entertainment in Goa stand cancelled or postponed for the day.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8, was carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members, crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon. According to officials, 169 passengers were Indian nationals, while others included British, Portuguese, and Canadian citizens. As per Air Traffic Control (ATC) reports, the flight—AI171—departed from Ahmedabad at 13:39 IST. Mayday call was issued, moments after and just before crash into doctors’ hostel near airport.
In an official notification, the Goa government stated that “all government-supported festive programmes, public celebrations, and official entertainment” would remain cancelled or postponed during the mourning period. Heads of departments, corporations, and autonomous bodies have been directed to ensure strict compliance. While Goa is not directly connected to the crash site, the symbolic act of mourning serves to unite the country in the face of a shared tragedy.
Air India has issued a public statement confirming the accident and has activated an emergency support line—1800 5691 444—to provide information to concerned families and relatives. The airline also confirmed that the flight was under the command of a senior captain with over 8,200 flying hours, supported by a co-pilot with 1,100 hours of experience. Officials from Gujarat have launched a large-scale rescue effort. Three teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), consisting of 90 personnel. Emergency services and hospitals in the vicinity have also been placed on high alert to handle injured survivors.
Although the exact cause of the crash is yet to be established, preliminary reports suggest a mechanical failure or critical systems malfunction may have occurred shortly after take-off. Aviation experts and government authorities have initiated a full investigation, with officials indicating that black box data will be crucial in determining the sequence of events.
The loss of international and Indian lives has deepened the collective grief and triggered calls for urgent action to reassess maintenance, training, and emergency protocols in the country’s civil aviation sector. As Goa prepares to observe a solemn day of mourning, the broader national sentiment is one of sorrow, introspection, and urgent need for accountability in a system where public safety cannot be left to chance.
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Goa Observes State Mourning After Fatal Plane Crash