AHMEDABAD/NEW DELHI: In a devastating aviation tragedy, Air India Flight AI 171 — a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flying from Ahmedabad to London — crashed into a densely populated neighborhood of Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff on Thursday afternoon, killing all 242 people onboard and leaving several casualties on the ground.The aircraft, which departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at around 1:38 PM, issued a distress signal moments after takeoff. Officials confirmed the plane remained at a dangerously low altitude with its landing gear still down before losing contact with radar. Eyewitnesses in the Meghani Nagar area reported the aircraft tilting sharply before crashing into the premises of B.J. Medical College, striking a student hostel and engulfing the area in flames.
Air India confirmed that all 230 passengers and 12 crew members perished in the crash. The deceased included 217 adults, 11 children, and two infants. Nationality-wise, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.
Among the dead was reportedly Vijay Rupani, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, although official confirmation from his office was pending at the time of this report.
The crew included highly experienced pilots: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with over 8,200 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours.
The crash resulted in further devastation on the ground. At least five people, including students staying in the hostel, were killed immediately, while over 40 others sustained injuries—ranging from severe burns to crush trauma. Emergency response teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local firefighters, and ambulances, were on the scene within minutes.
A “green corridor” was created to facilitate quick transport of the critically injured to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, and all city hospitals were placed on high alert.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) expressed profound sorrow over the crash. In a statement released by JIH President Syed Sadatullah Husaini, the organization conveyed condolences to families in India and abroad who lost loved ones.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic crash of an Air India flight in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many innocent lives, including passengers from multiple countries and numerous students and staff of a medical college where the aircraft went down, is a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions,” said Husaini.
The Jamaat praised the tireless efforts of rescue personnel, emergency responders, and volunteers, and emphasized the emotional trauma families are enduring as they await identification and updates about their loved ones.
Calling for transparency and justice, JIH demanded a thorough and independent investigation into the crash, underlining the importance of accountability and aviation safety reforms to prevent future tragedies.
“Jamaat-e-Islami Hind stands in solidarity with all the affected families, offering our heartfelt prayers and support in this hour of immense sorrow,” Husaini concluded.
As India mourns one of its darkest aviation disasters, the need for accountability, safety overhaul, and swift support to grieving families stands paramount. The nation unites in grief and reflection as questions emerge about the safety standards and operational protocols of one of its most prominent airlines.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the visuals as “devastating” and extended support to the families of British nationals on board.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also extended their condolences and monitored the rescue operations.
