Ahmedabad, June 12 — In a catastrophic incident that has sent shockwaves across the nation and beyond, an Air India Dreamliner en route to London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. All 242 people on board — 232 passengers and 10 crew members — are feared to have died in the crash.
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The tragic event occurred at 1:17 PM, as the flight, identified as AI171, lifted off but soon lost control and plummeted near the Dharpur area in Meghaninagar, where eyewitnesses reported a massive fireball and thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky.
Nationalities on Board
Among the deceased were:
- 169 Indian nationals
- 53 British citizens
- 7 Portuguese nationals
- 1 Canadian citizen
Emergency response teams, including over a dozen fire engines and medical units, were dispatched immediately. Rescue efforts have been hampered by intense flames and debris spread across a wide radius.
Government Responds Swiftly
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with both Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, urging them to visit Ahmedabad personally and ensure every possible form of aid is extended to victims’ families and survivors, if any.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has also directed the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local police to coordinate a thorough rescue and investigation mission.
Earlier in the day, Amit Shah contacted Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to oversee state-level emergency protocols and assist federal agencies in the ongoing efforts.
Crash Investigation Underway
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed that the aircraft sent out a “Mayday” distress call moments before it vanished from radar. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, with early speculation pointing to either a mechanical failure or bird strike, though no confirmation has been provided.
Next Steps
A team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been deployed to the site. The black box and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) will be critical in determining what led to one of India’s worst aviation disasters in recent history.