A major incident occurred earlier today, June 12, 2025, as an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft had 242 people on board, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew members. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has identified the captain as Sumeet Sabharwal and the first officer as Clive Kundar.
The crash occurred in the Meghani Nagar area, near the airport. Initial reports and visuals from the scene depict thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky, indicating a significant fire. Fire tenders and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the site to combat the blaze and initiate evacuation efforts.
The cause of the crash is currently unknown, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Air India has released a statement acknowledging the incident and stating that they are "ascertaining the details" and will provide updates as soon as possible via their website and social media channels.
In response to the emergency, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has mobilized three teams, comprising 90 personnel, from Gandhinagar to the crash site. An additional three teams are being moved from Vadodara to further support the rescue operations. The focus remains on evacuating passengers and crew, controlling the fire, and providing medical assistance to those injured.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken with the Chief Minister of Gujarat to assess the situation and coordinate the response efforts. The government is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to providing all necessary assistance to the affected passengers, their families, and the rescue teams on the ground.
The incident has caused significant disruption and concern, with many awaiting further details about casualties and the extent of the damage. The area around the airport has been cordoned off, and traffic is being diverted to facilitate the ongoing rescue operations.
This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
