In a devastating turn of events, Air India Flight AI-171 route to London, crashed near Ahmedabad just minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people (230 passengers and 12 crew members), took off around 1:38 PM IST and reportedly lost altitude abruptly, crashing into a densely populated neighborhood near Meghani Nagar, barely 3 kilometers from the airport’s perimeter.
Eyewitness Accounts Describe Horror Scene
Residents near the crash site reported hearing a loud explosion followed by a massive column of black smoke rising into the sky. Parts of the aircraft crashed into buildings near B.J. Medical College, including a doctors’ hostel, compounding the disaster and leaving many civilians injured or trapped under rubble.
Flight and Aircraft Information
- Flight: AI-171
- Route: Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick (LGW)
- Aircraft Type: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
- Occupants: 242 (230 passengers, 12 crew)
- Crash Location: Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad
- Time of Crash: 1:44 PM IST
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the aircraft experienced “unusual engine noise and rapid descent” moments before the crash. Pilots had sent out a brief “Mayday” distress call before contact was lost.
DGCA and AAIB Launch Full Investigation
The DGCA, along with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), has initiated a detailed probe. The aircraft’s black box and flight data recorder are being recovered to determine the sequence of events leading up to the crash. Initial data from FlightRadar24 indicates that the plane never reached a stable cruising altitude and lost control shortly after passing 625 feet.
Vijay Rupani Confirmed Onboard: Condition Awaited
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was confirmed to be among the passengers onboard the ill-fated flight. He was traveling to London for a scheduled lecture at an international policy conference.
As of the latest official update, his condition remains unknown. His office has not issued a formal statement, though sources indicate he may be among the injured taken to Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad.
Political leaders, including PM Narendra Modi and HM Amit Shah, have been briefed and are monitoring the situation closely.
Vijay Rupani: A Legacy Remembered
Born on August 2, 1956, Vijay Rupani served as the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat from August 2016 to September 2021. Known for his calm demeanor, administrative acumen, and developmental work, Rupani was a stalwart of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His sudden death has not only stunned political leaders across party lines but also left his supporters in deep grief.
Rescue Efforts Ongoing: Multiple Agencies on Ground
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire and emergency services, and local police are carrying out search and rescue operations. A green corridor has been established to rush the injured to hospitals, and temporary shelters have been arranged for displaced families.
The crash has severely impacted local infrastructure, prompting electricity cuts and traffic redirection in the Meghani Nagar area.
As the nation reels from the impact of this devastating flight crash in Ahmedabad, attention now turns to the investigation, accountability, and care for the survivors and victims’ families. With Air India Flight AI-171 now under intense scrutiny from aviation authorities, and high-profile individuals like Vijay Rupani among those affected, this incident will leave a lasting mark on India’s aviation history. As rescue efforts continue and the truth behind the crash unfolds, the people of Gujarat and the nation wait with heavy hearts and hope for answers.
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