Recent flight accident in India Ahmedabad Plane Crash

Ahmedabad Plane Crash : On Thursday, June 12, 2025, a catastrophic incident unfolded in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, as Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA). The flight, carrying 242 passengers and crew, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals, plummeted into the Meghani Nagar area near the airport, triggering a massive explosion and thick plumes of black smoke. The crash, one of the deadliest in recent Indian aviation history, has left the nation reeling and prompted an outpouring of grief.

Details of the Incident | Ahmedabad Plane Crash

The flight departed from runway 23 at 1:39 PM IST and issued a distress “Mayday” call to air traffic control just moments before losing contact. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft, under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar, reached approximately 825 feet before suddenly descending and crashing into a residential area near the airport’s perimeter. The plane, heavily fueled for its long-haul journey, erupted into flames, scattering debris and causing widespread panic in Meghani Nagar.

Preliminary reports suggest an engineering fault may have contributed, following recent refurbishing of the aircraft, though investigations are ongoing. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has dispatched a team to Ahmedabad to probe the cause.

mmediate Response and Rescue Efforts

Emergency services, including seven fire brigade vehicles and ambulances, were swiftly deployed to the crash site. Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 90 personnel from Gandhinagar, with additional teams from Vadodara, joined local police and firefighters in rescue and firefighting operations. A green corridor was established to rush injured passengers to nearby hospitals, with Air India setting up a dedicated hotline (1800 5691 444) for families seeking information.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who rushed to Ahmedabad from Surat, directed officials to prioritize rescue and medical treatment on a war footing. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been closely monitoring the situation, with Shah assuring central government support, including NDRF assistance. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who was in Vijayawada, immediately traveled to Ahmedabad to oversee operations.

Impact and Casualties

While official casualty figures are yet to be confirmed, sources indicate the chances of survivors are slim due to the intensity of the crash and fire. An eyewitness described a scene of chaos, with “dead bodies and debris scattered” amid thick smoke. Among the passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, listed as passenger number 12, who was reportedly traveling to London to meet family. The crash has also disrupted flight operations, with SVPIA temporarily closed until further notice.

National and International Response

The tragedy has drawn condolences from leaders and celebrities alike. Prime Minister Modi expressed his grief, stating, “Pained beyond words by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad,” and assured all necessary support. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also extended condolences, praying for the affected families. Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran called the incident a “tragic accident” and emphasized support for victims’ families.

The UK government, noting the 53 British nationals on board, is working with Indian authorities to provide consular assistance. London Gatwick Airport confirmed the flight was scheduled to land at 18:25 local time. The crash also impacted airline stocks, with IndiGo and SpiceJet shares dropping 3% and 1.5%, respectively, on June 12.

A Dark Chapter in Indian Aviation

This crash marks the first fatal passenger plane incident in India since the 2020 Kozhikode crash and is among the deadliest in recent history, drawing comparisons to the 1988 Indian Airlines Flight 113 crash near Ahmedabad, which killed 133. As investigations continue, the nation mourns, and questions linger about aviation safety and the factors behind this devastating event.

For updates, contact the Ahmedabad Airport Emergency Line at 079-22869211 or Air India’s hotline. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this heartbreaking time.

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