Our Bureau
Ahmedabad
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, terming it “heartbreaking beyond words.”
In a post on X, PM Modi conveyed his condolences and assured assistance to those affected.
According to the post, PM Modi has been closely monitoring the situation and is in constant communication with state authorities.
“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,” the Prime Minister wrote.
Meanwhile, UK Prime minister Keir Starmer on Thursday said his thoughts were with the passengers and families of those on the Air India flight bound for Gatwick which crashed in Ahmedabad.
“The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating, he said in a post on X.
“I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time” Starmer said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar extended condolences over the Air India Flight AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad today. In a post on X, the EAM said, “Deeply shocked to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. Our prayers are with the passengers and their families.”
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick with 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed in Meghaninagar area at 1:39 pm (IST) shortly after it took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
As per Air India the passengers comprised 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals.
One survivor has been found in the deadly crash of an Air India plane carrying 242 people, after it rammed into a nearby doctors’ hostel shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport, a senior police officer said.
On a phone call, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik says, “The police found one survivor in seat 11A. He has been in the hospital and is under treatment. Cannot say anything about the number of deaths yet. The death toll may increase as the flight crashed in a residential area.”
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said that a team has been rushed to the spot for investigation.
“On 12th Jun, 2025, Air India B787 Aircraft VT-ANB, while operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, has crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad. There were 242 people on board the aircraft, consisting of 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew,” said a senior DGCA official.
The aircraft was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar. Capt Sumeet Sabharwal is an LTC with 8200 hours of experience. The copilot had 1100 hours of flying experience, the official further added.
As per ATC, the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It gave a mayday Call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC.
Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen emanating from the accident site, said the official.
Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said in a statement following the Air India crash that an emergency centre had been set up for families seeking information about their loved ones.
“At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families,” he said in a post on X.
A spokesperson for Ahmedabad airport has said that all flights have been suspended.
A total of three Natural Disaster Response Force teams have been moved from Gandhinagar to Ahmedabad, comprising of 90 personnel. Three teams from Vadodara are also moving to Ahmedabad.
Thick plumes of smoke could be seen at the accident spot, and fire tenders have reached the spot. A number of the roads that lead to the airport are closed.
Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said, “Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. We are on the highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Home Minister and the Police Commissioner regarding the plane crash incident. He also assured to provide Central government assistance.
The Gujarat Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, has given instructions to undertake immediate rescue and relief operations and immediate treatment of injured passengers in the wake of the Air India passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad on a war footing.
As soon as the Chief Minister came to know about this tragic incident, he contacted Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi and the concerned senior secretaries and instructed them to arrange a green corridor to take the injured passengers for immediate treatment and to ensure all the treatment arrangements in the hospital were given priority.
Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel and assured full support of NDRF teams and the Central Government for the rescue and relief operations in this plane crash.
