Air India flight with 242 on board crashes near Ahmedabad airport
An Air India plane headed to London with 242 people on board crashed minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday, airline and police officials said.
Describing the incident as “heartbreaking” and “beyond words,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was in touch with ministers and authorities to ensure support for those affected.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote: “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.”
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the Boeing 787-8 aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, was operating Flight AI-171 to Gatwick Airport when it went down shortly after departure. The aircraft was carrying 2 pilots, 10 cabin crew members, and 230 passengers.
“Flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off,” Air India said in a statement on X. The flight had departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 IST.
Of the 242 people on board, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were British nationals, one was a Canadian national, and seven were Portuguese citizens, the airline said.
Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said an emergency centre had been activated and support teams were working to assist families of those on board.
“At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted,” Chandrasekaran said in a statement.
Thick plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the crash site, and fire tenders along with emergency services rushed to the scene immediately.
Flight operations at the Ahmedabad airport were suspended until further notice following the crash, an official spokesperson of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, state Home Minister, and Ahmedabad Police Commissioner regarding the crash. According to ANI, Shah assured full support and assistance from the central government.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, who was in Vijayawada at the time of the incident, rushed to Ahmedabad after receiving news of the crash. Expressing deep shock, Kinjarapu said he was personally monitoring the situation.
“We are on 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,” he posted on X.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel said that officials have been instructed “to carry out immediate rescue and relief work and arrange for immediate treatment of the injured passengers on a war footing.”
“I have also instructed to arrange for a green corridor to take the injured passengers for treatment and to ensure all arrangements for treatment in the hospital are made on a priority basis. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken to me and assured full cooperation,” Patel said on X.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) said an operational control room had been activated “to oversee and coordinate all necessary response measures.”
It also shared emergency contact numbers for assistance and information: the Delhi control room can be reached at 011-24610843 and 9650391859, while the Ahmedabad control room can be contacted at 9978405304 and 079-23251900.
