– Mohammed Talha Siddi Bapa
In one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787 8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed into the Meghani Nagar area just minutes after takeoff Thursday afternoon, killing all 242 people on board and inflicting casualties on the ground.
Among the 230 passengers was reportedly Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021, who tragically appears to have been on the flight. His presence, though early reports remain unconfirmed by official sources, has sparked widespread grief and concern across the state and the nation.
Flight AI 171 departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at approximately 1:38 PM IST. It issued a Mayday call soon after lift-off, with its landing gear still down, before losing radar contact at an altitude of around 600–800 ft (indiatimes.com). Eyewitnesses saw the aircraft descend sharply and crash into a hostel near B.J. Medical College, in one of the most densely populated pockets of Ahmedabad.
Toll of the Tragedy
- Onboard: All 230 passengers and 12 crew members – including Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 flight hours) and First Officer Clive Kundar (1,100 hours) – did not survive.
- Ground Impact: At least five people on the ground, including medical students in the affected hostel, were killed; more than 40 others suffered injuries ranging from burns to crush trauma.
The aircraft, tail number VT ANB, was delivered to Air India in January 2014 and had no known technical issues.
Immediate Response
Emergency teams, including the NDRF, fire services, and ambulances, mobilised rapidly. A “green corridor” was set up to ferry critically injured individuals to hospitals. Flights at Ahmedabad Airport were halted temporarily before limited operations resumed in the late afternoon (newindianexpress.com).
Official Reactions
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the crash as “heartbreaking beyond words,” offering condolences and coordinating federal aid (newindianexpress.com).
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the visuals “devastating,” pledging support for British nationals affected.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel coordinated emergency efforts on a war footing.
- Air India, Boeing, GE Aerospace, DGCA, and the AAIB have all pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation (newindianexpress.com).
The Broader Context
This tragic event is Air India’s first major hull loss since 2020 (not counting its subsidiary) and the deadliest Dreamliner incident to date. It has reignited scrutiny of aircraft maintenance, flight procedures, and emergency readiness – especially near densely populated airports.
Investigators from the AAIB and DGCA, supported by Boeing and GE, will analyse flight data, cockpit voice recordings, and wreckage. A preliminary investigation report is expected in the coming weeks.
At Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, families hold onto hope as they await updates on victims, including Rupani. The city mourns collectively, with thousands awaiting clarity, accountability, and some semblance of closure.
