Ahmedabad: A major aviation tragedy struck the city on Thursday afternoon when an Air India aircraft crashed in Meghani Nagar near Ahmedabad Airport. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport. The aircraft, which took off at 1:38 PM, crashed within two minutes—around 1:40 PM—colliding with a residential building.

According to primary information, there were 242 people on board, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew members. Emergency services, including fire and police teams, were immediately alerted and rushed to the crash site. In response to the incident, all roads leading to the area have been cordoned off.

Preliminary reports indicate that former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was on board the plane.

As per the official note, as soon as the Chief Minister learned about the tragic incident, he contacted Chief Secretary Shri Pankaj Joshi and other senior secretaries by telephone. He instructed them to arrange a green corridor for the immediate transfer of injured passengers to hospitals and to ensure that all treatment arrangements were made on a priority basis.

Union Home Minister Amitbhai Shah also spoke with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and assured full support from NDRF teams and the Central Government for the rescue and relief operations.

Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 90 personnel have been moved from Gandhinagar to the crash site. An additional three teams are being mobilized from Vadodara.

Reacting to the news of the crash, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel tweeted:
“I am deeply saddened by the incident of the Air India passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad. I have instructed officials to carry out immediate rescue and relief work and to arrange for the immediate treatment of injured passengers on a war footing. I have also ordered the creation of a green corridor to transport the injured and to ensure all hospital arrangements are made on a priority basis. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken to me and assured full cooperation.”

The situation at the crash site remains tense and chaotic, with thick smoke visible from a distance. Rescue operations are currently underway.

Air India, in an official post, stated:
“Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad–London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on airindia.com and on our X handle.”

According to the Director General of Civil Aviation:
“Air India B787 Aircraft VT-ANB, operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, crashed immediately after takeoff. There were 242 people on board, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew members. The aircraft was under the command of Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kundar.

Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal is an LTC with 8,200 hours of flying experience, while the co-pilot had 1,100 hours. According to ATC, the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 13:39 IST (08:09 UTC) from Runway 23. It issued a MAYDAY call to ATC, but subsequently, there was no further response. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen rising from the accident site.”

The Air India B787 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London (Gatwick), crashed into a residential area in Meghani Nagar just minutes after takeoff.

Officials from the Directorate of Airworthiness (DAW), Assistant Directors of Airworthiness (ADAW), and one Flight Operations Inspector (FOI), who were already in Ahmedabad for another task, are currently gathering more details about the incident. DeshGujarat