Smoke from the crashed Air India flight in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.
Ahmedabad: The golden glow of a summer afternoon in Ahmedabad was eclipsed by unimaginable horror at 1:39 PM IST when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, plummeted from the sky moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members—242 souls in total—the aircraft crashed into a residential building in Meghaninagar, near the airport’s edge, erupting into a devastating fireball that left the nation reeling in shock. Jagged plumes of black smoke scarred the clear daylight sky, visible for miles in Ahmedabad, as a nation confronted an aviation tragedy of heart-wrenching magnitude.
Under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with 8,200 hours of flight experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 hours, the flight, registered as VT-ANB, had just cleared Runway 23 when it issued a desperate “Mayday” call at 08:09 UTC, seconds before all contact was severed, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Witnesses described a scene of surreal terror: the plane, struggling to ascend, grazed rooftops before smashing into a structure near the IGB ground, reportedly a doctors’ hostel. The impact unleashed a cataclysmic explosion, hurling debris across the densely populated neighbourhood and engulfing the wreckage in flames that consumed parts of the shattered building.
Emergency responders surged into action beneath the relentless afternoon sun. Twelve fire brigades battled the inferno, as confirmed by fire officer Jayesh Khadia, while Gujarat State Police cordoned off roads to Meghaninagar, clearing paths for rescue teams through chaotic streets. The Civil Hospital, nearby, declared an emergency, bracing for the injured, though casualty figures remain unconfirmed as of 03:48 PM IST. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik told reporters that authorities were scrambling to verify details of the aircraft and the disaster’s full scope, as rescue efforts continued with frantic urgency. Reports indicate at least 30 bodies have been recovered, with fears that many more may be trapped beneath the rubble, according to Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched an urgent investigation, with Flightradar24’s ADS-B data indicating the plane reached a mere 625 feet—425 feet above the airport’s 200-foot elevation—before descending at 475 feet per minute. Rumours of engine failure or a bird strike have surfaced, but the DGCA has yet to determine a cause. Air India issued a grave statement: “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. We are ascertaining details and will share updates on http://airindia.com and our X handle.” Tata Group Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, his voice heavy with sorrow, pledged unwavering support for those affected, urging calm as investigations proceed.
The passenger manifest, partially released, provides a glimpse into the lives aboard the ill-fated flight. According to Air India and multiple sources, the flight carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national, totalling 230 passengers, alongside 12 crew members, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew. The passenger list includes 215 economy class and 15 business class travellers, with 217 adults, 11 children, and 2 infants, reflecting a diverse group of families, students, and professionals.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the passengers, listed in business class, though his fate remains unverified.
Air India has activated a dedicated hotline (1800 5691 444) for families seeking information, and the Gujarat government has established a control room at the State Emergency Operation Centre (079-232-51900 or 99784-05304) to assist.
The catastrophe has spurred a swift response from leaders. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, hurrying from Surat, ordered immediate rescue and relief operations, ensuring a green corridor for the injured. Union Home Minister Amit Shah pledged full central government support, deploying National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, briefed on the crisis, directed Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to provide all possible aid. Naidu, en route to Ahmedabad, called the incident “soul-crushing,” vowing to oversee rescue efforts personally.
International leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French Ambassador Thierry Mathou, expressed condolences, with the UK Foreign Office activating a crisis team to support British nationals.
The nation’s grief resounded through political circles. Aam Aadmi Party’s Manish Sisodia rallied party workers to join relief efforts, offering prayers for survivors. AAP MP Raghav Chadha described the crash as “heart-rending,” haunted by images of smoke and devastation. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed solidarity, her thoughts with those affected. The crash, the first involving a Boeing 787, has halted operations at Ahmedabad airport, leaving travellers stranded as the city grapples with disbelief.
As rescue teams labour into the late afternoon, sifting through smouldering wreckage, the partially released passenger manifest—listing 215 economy and 15 business class travellers, including Indian, British, and Portuguese citizens—fuels a nation’s anguished vigil. Details on survivors or fatalities remain scarce, leaving families and the country in torment. As India mourns this shattering tragedy, the search for answers begins, with updates expected from Air India and authorities.
– global bihari bureau
