Tragedy struck shortly after takeoff on Air India flight AI171, as all 242 individuals on board — including 12 crew members and two infants — lost their lives when the aircraft crashed near Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik confirmed the devastating outcome, stating there were no survivors. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which was en route to London Gatwick, went down in the densely populated Meghani area, potentially causing additional casualties on the ground. The exact number of ground fatalities is still under investigation.
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Crash Timeline and Emergency Response
The flight took off at 1:08 PM but encountered problems within minutes. Eyewitnesses described the aircraft struggling to ascend before crashing and sending a large plume of black smoke into the sky. Emergency services quickly reached the scene, initiating rescue and firefighting operations, but authorities later confirmed that all passengers — including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian — perished in the crash.
Mayday Signal and Investigation Underway
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported that the plane issued a Mayday call moments after departure but lost communication soon after. Experts have described the incident as highly rare, especially involving a technologically advanced aircraft like the Boeing 787, which is designed with redundant safety systems. Early assessments point to a catastrophic failure during the critical takeoff phase. The DGCA and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have both launched formal investigations to determine the cause.
