Air India plane crashes near Ahmedabad en route London
Ahmedabad: Air India London-Bound Flight Crashes Near Airport; Rescue Ops Underway
The horrifying incident took place around 2:00 PM, shaking the Meghaninagar locality where the aircraft went down. Emergency response teams have rushed to the site and intensive rescue operations are currently underway.
1. Crash Details and Aircraft Information
The ill-fated aircraft was Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operated by Air India on the Ahmedabad–London Gatwick route. The aircraft had taken off at approximately 1:47 PM and crashed just nine minutes later, shortly after it was given clearance for takeoff. Authorities confirmed that the crash occurred in Meghaninagar, a densely populated locality close to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
2. Passengers and Crew on Board
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the plane was carrying 254 people in total — 242 passengers, two pilots, and 10 cabin crew. The aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar as co-pilot. The crew was reportedly well-experienced, and pre-flight checks had shown no anomalies, according to preliminary reports.
3. Possible Casualties; High-Profile Passenger Feared Onboard
Casualties are feared, although there is no official confirmation of fatalities yet. Unconfirmed reports suggest that former Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP leader Vijay Rupani was among the passengers onboard the flight, adding a significant political dimension to the tragedy.
4. Response from Air India and Officials
Air India acknowledged the incident in a statement posted on its official X handle (formerly Twitter):
At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on http://airindia.com and on our X handle.”
Local officials, including fire officer Jayesh Khadia, confirmed that multiple fire tenders were dispatched to control the massive blaze that erupted post-crash. A large plume of black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky shortly after impact.
5. Immediate Rescue and Medical Response
Police, firefighters, and medical teams initiated rescue and evacuation operations. Many injured persons were rushed to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, and the hospital administration has been placed on high alert. Additional medical teams have been deployed to manage the emergency.
6. Scene at Meghaninagar
The crash has caused severe panic and confusion in Meghaninagar, with residents describing the moment of impact as a “massive explosion” followed by windows shattering and debris raining down. The area has been cordoned off, and search teams are combing the wreckage to locate survivors. Local authorities have also appealed to residents to stay indoors and allow rescue teams to operate efficiently.
7. Investigation Launched
The DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have begun preliminary inquiries to determine the cause of the crash. Black box recovery and cockpit voice recordings will be key to understanding what went wrong. Authorities have promised a transparent and thorough investigation, and updates are expected in the coming days.