News Desk, Guwahati: In a tragic incident that has plunged the nation into mourning, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff this afternoon. All 242 passengers and crew on board have been confirmed dead, according to officials. The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control minutes after its 2:38 PM departure from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane trailing smoke before plummeting into a field approximately 18 kilometers from the airport perimeter. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but officials confirmed there were no survivors. Search and recovery operations are ongoing, with teams scouring the wreckage for the aircraft's black box flight recorders, which will be critical in determining the cause of the crash.
The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.
Government sources confirm that Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and senior officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have been dispatched to Ahmedabad to coordinate relief and investigation efforts. While the cause of the crash remains unknown, aviation authorities have grounded all Dreamliner aircraft in the Air India fleet as a precautionary measure. The DGCA has announced a full-scale investigation in collaboration with Boeing representatives and international safety experts. Flight AI171 was reportedly carrying 229 passengers and 13 crew members, including several foreign nationals. The airline has released a preliminary passenger list and has set up emergency hotlines for relatives. As news of the disaster spread, leaders from around the world, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressed condolences. “Our thoughts are with the people of India and the families of those lost in this horrific accident,” Starmer said. This marks one of the worst aviation disasters in India in over a decade, and the deadliest incident involving a Dreamliner aircraft since its commercial debut. This is a developing story. More updates to follow.
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