Ahmedabad Air India Plane Crash News Live Updates: A devastating crash occurred when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB), plummeted to the ground minutes after departing from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12.
The flight, destined for London Gatwick Airport (LGW), carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The tragic incident occurred around 1.39 pm local time (08.09 GMT).
Air India confirmed that 241 on board the doomed flight had died. The plane crashed into a medical college hostel’s mess area, resulting in additional fatalities on the ground. A total of 265 bodies, including medical students, were taken to the city’s civil hospital till late Thursday night, a police official told news agency PTI.
Reports from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirm that the pilots issued a “MAYDAY” call to air traffic control (ATC) shortly after takeoff, indicating an immediate and grave emergency. Tragically, the aircraft did not respond to subsequent calls from ATC.
The devastating crash claimed numerous lives. Initially, Ahmedabad Police Chief GS Malik reported no survivors on board and confirmed ground casualties. However, amidst the tragedy, a miracle emerged: Ramesh Viswashkumar, approximately 40 years old, was confirmed as the sole survivor.
Among the confirmed fatalities from the aircraft was Vijay Rupani, the former chief minister of Gujarat (2016-2021), who was reportedly en route to London to meet his family. Those on board included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “heartbreaking beyond words,” confirming that rescue and relief efforts were already in motion.
The Prime Minister also pledged full government support for the victims’ families, calling for a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. He is expected to visit Ahmedabad on Friday.
