A tragic incident unfolded at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport as an Air India flight bound for London’s Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after takeoff, carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members. The crash has prompted an immediate national response.
Visuals Emerge: Thick Smoke Seen After Crash
Live visuals and videos circulating on social media showed plumes of dense black smoke rising into the sky near the Meghani Nagar area, where the aircraft reportedly went down. Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud explosion before seeing the smoke.
Flight AI171: Details of the Aircraft and Passengers
The ill-fated flight, Air India AI171, was a Boeing Dreamliner 787, scheduled to fly from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. According to an official Air India statement, the plane crashed moments after takeoff.
Air India has confirmed the breakdown of the nationalities of those onboard:
- 169 Indian nationals
- 53 British citizens
- 7 Portuguese nationals
- 1 Canadian national
Among the 242 passengers, 12 were members of the cabin crew.
Former CM Vijay Rupani Suspected Onboard
Unconfirmed reports suggest that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani may have been among the passengers on the flight. Authorities have not yet verified this information, and efforts are ongoing to confirm the passenger manifest.
Government’s Swift Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken immediate stock of the situation and ordered urgent rescue and relief operations. He has also directed coordination among various agencies to ensure prompt assistance to those affected.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu is rushing to Ahmedabad to personally assess the scene and oversee relief efforts.
Airport Operations Temporarily Suspended
Due to the severity of the crash and the ongoing emergency response, Ahmedabad airport has suspended all operations temporarily. All incoming and outgoing flights are currently on hold as safety checks and recovery operations continue.
Rescue Operations Underway
Fire brigades, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, and airport emergency units have been mobilized to manage the situation. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing to account for all passengers and ensure the injured receive immediate medical attention.
