Ahmedabad (National Times): Tragedy struck the city of Ahmedabad on Thursday as Air India Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 232 people on board. According to Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik, there are no signs of survivors.
The aircraft, which had just taken off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, lost contact minutes into the flight and crashed into a densely populated area, striking the hostel mess of BJ Medical College in Meghani Nagar.
“The situation is grim. Based on the current search and rescue efforts, it appears there are no survivors from the aircraft,” Commissioner Malik told the Associated Press.
Among the passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, though his status is still being formally confirmed by authorities. Rescue personnel are continuing recovery operations amid wreckage that has left the site unrecognizable.
Local emergency services responded within minutes, but the impact and fire made immediate rescues nearly impossible. The Air India spokesperson said the airline is awaiting further details and is cooperating with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other agencies investigating the cause.
The incident has sparked an outpouring of grief across the nation, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing condolences and promising full support for the investigation and relief efforts.
The black box has yet to be recovered, and aviation safety teams are working around the clock to piece together what caused the fatal plunge. Meanwhile, grief-stricken families have begun gathering near the airport, awaiting confirmation and support from officials.
This catastrophe stands among the deadliest aviation accidents in Indian history, made even more tragic by its impact on civilian life in a residential zone.
