In a devastating turn of events, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (Flight AI171) en route to London Gatwick crashed just two minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft, which lifted off at 1:38 PM, lost altitude rapidly and crashed into a residential area near Meghanagar at around 1:40 PM, triggering a massive fire and panic across the locality.
The plane was carrying 242 individuals—232 passengers and 10 crew members, including two experienced pilots. Initial passenger data released by Air India indicates that the majority onboard were Indian nationals (169), alongside 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian citizen. Shortly after takeoff, the flight reportedly issued a Mayday distress call to Air Traffic Control before losing communication.
Tragically, the aircraft struck a tree and part of the BJ Medical College Hostel, resulting in a significant number of casualties. Though the exact toll remains unconfirmed, preliminary reports suggest that up to 20 MBBS students and doctors residing in the hostel may have perished in the crash—sending shockwaves through the medical and academic communities.
Emergency response was swift. Over 25 fire tenders, ambulances, and rescue teams from Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat were dispatched. Teams from the Border Security Force (BSF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) took part in the high-intensity rescue operations. The injured were rushed to Civil Hospital and King George Hospital (KGH).
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with over 8,200 flying hours, was piloting the aircraft, supported by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a formal investigation into the cause of the crash.
Reacting to the tragedy, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel directed authorities to create a green corridor for speedy medical support and called for expedited rescue measures. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke directly with state officials and assured full support from the central government.
Air India, confirming the crash on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, stated:
“Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was involved in an accident on June 12. We are still gathering full details and will update through official channels.”
A helpdesk has been set up for relatives and concerned individuals at 1800 5691 444.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani may have been among the passengers, but official confirmation is awaited.
The nation mourns the loss, as investigations begin to uncover the cause behind one of the most tragic aviation accidents in recent Indian history.
