Tragedy has struck as all 242 passengers and crew on board Air India Flight AI171 are confirmed dead following a devastating crash near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, western India.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was en route to London Gatwick Airport when it crashed into a residential area shortly after takeoff at 1:39pm IST.
Immediate Aftermath
Photos and footage from the scene show thick black smoke and flames engulfing the crash site, which is located near accommodation blocks for medical students at a nearby university. Authorities fear that 50 to 60 students on the ground may also have perished in the incident.
“We have lost a lot of people,” said Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, calling it “a very tragic accident.”
Flight and Passenger Details
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Route: Ahmedabad (AMD) → London Gatwick (LGW)
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Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
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Time of Crash: Shortly after 13:39 IST (08:09 BST)
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Altitude Lost: Just 625 feet before losing contact
Nationalities Onboard (as confirmed by Indian authorities):
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169 Indian nationals
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7 Portuguese nationals
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1 Canadian national
There were 217 adults, 11 children, and 2 infants among the passengers.
Aircraft and Crew
The captain had logged 8,200 flight hours, while the co-pilot had 1,100 hours. The flight issued a mayday call within seconds of takeoff, but lost all contact moments later.
Aviation Expert’s Insight
Aviation security professor Philip Baum told Metro:
“This marks the first total hull loss of a Boeing 787-8. Investigators will now begin retrieving flight data and cockpit voice recorders to establish the cause.”
He warned that the death toll could rise given the location of the crash and the aircraft’s full fuel load for the international journey.
Emergency and Recovery Operations
Emergency response teams and recovery crews remain at the crash site, combing through debris and attempting to identify victims. Local hospitals have been placed on high alert, and nearby buildings have been evacuated.
Air India has said:
“We are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on our website.”
Investigation Underway
A full investigation has been launched involving:
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India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
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Air India and its crisis team
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Aircraft manufacturer Boeing
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International aviation safety investigators
Boeing stated:
“We are aware of the reports and are working with authorities to gather more information.”
Global Condolences
Tributes are pouring in from across the world, with families of British, Indian, Portuguese, and Canadian nationals now being contacted by consular services.
British authorities have offered support for the families of the UK victims. London Gatwick Airport has opened an incident support centre for relatives.
Helplines
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Air India Emergency Helpline (India): To be announced
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British Consulate (Ahmedabad): +91-79-40393000
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Canadian Embassy in India: +91-11-4178-2000
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Portuguese Consulate: +91-22-2640-0501
