by Our Correspondent in New Delhi
An Air India flight bound for London’s Gatwick airport crashed near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, killing or injuring an unknown number of the 242 people on board. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner went down in the Meghaninagar area just minutes after takeoff.
Air India confirmed that Flight AI171, operating the Ahmedabad-London Gatwick route, was involved in an incident shortly after departure. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has dispatched an investigation team to the crash site.
A senior DGCA official stated, “On 12th June 2025, Air India B787 Aircraft VT-ANB, operating flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad. There were 242 people on board, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew.”
The aircraft was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain (LTC) with 8,200 flying hours, alongside First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours of experience.
According to Air Traffic Control (ATC) records, the plane departed Ahmedabad’s runway 23 at 1:39 pm IST (08:09 UTC) and issued a mayday call shortly thereafter. However, the aircraft ceased responding to ATC communications soon after the distress call.
“The aircraft fell to the ground outside the airport perimeter immediately after departure from runway 23,” the official said. Thick black smoke was reported rising from the crash site as fire tenders and emergency response teams rushed to the scene.
In response to the crash, Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said, “Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. We are on the highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.”
The Minister, who was attending government anniversary events in Vijayawada at the time, immediately traveled to Ahmedabad. His office confirmed he remains in constant contact with senior officials from DGCA, Airports Authority of India (AAI), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Gujarat state authorities to coordinate rescue and relief operations.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken to Gujarat’s Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Home Minister, and Police Commissioner to coordinate Central assistance in response to the disaster.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has ordered a war-footing rescue and relief operation, with priority given to the treatment of injured passengers and affected families.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash. Details on casualties and survivors are awaited as emergency teams work tirelessly at the site.
