Ahmedabad, India – A pall of grief has descended upon Ahmedabad following the crash of Air India Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, plummeted into the Meghani Nagar area, a densely populated residential zone near the airport, igniting a massive fire and triggering a large-scale emergency response.
Among those on board was Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam, an air hostess whose family now grapples with unimaginable pain. As news of the crash spread, her family gathered, their faces etched with disbelief and anguish. A video showed family members frantically searching through photo albums, tears streaming down their faces as they desperately sought a picture of Nganthoi. The question hanging heavy in the air, "Where have you gone?" encapsulates the raw sorrow and desperate longing of a family grappling with the sudden and incomprehensible loss.
The crash site has become a scene of devastation. Reports indicate that the plane crashed onto a hostel of the B.J. Medical College, with images showing a portion of the aircraft embedded in the damaged building. The impact and subsequent fire inflicted casualties both on the plane and on the ground, with medical students present in the hostel mess at the time of the crash.
Emergency services, including fire engines, ambulances, and police, swiftly arrived at the scene. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were also deployed to assist in rescue and recovery efforts. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik has stated that there may be survivors, but the recovery of 204 bodies paints a grim picture. Forty-one injured individuals have been rushed to hospitals, where they are receiving urgent medical attention.
The impact of the crash is widespread. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the passengers who perished in the tragedy, confirmed by Union Minister C.R. Patil. Authorities have established a dedicated helpline and emergency center to provide information and support to the families of the victims. Ahmedabad Civil Hospital is collecting DNA samples from close relatives to aid in the identification of those who lost their lives.
The aviation community is reeling from the incident. According to Flightradar24, the aircraft reached an altitude of only 625 feet (190 meters) before crashing. The pilot issued a mayday call to air traffic control before communication was lost. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has suspended all flight operations until further notice.
Air India has confirmed the crash and stated that it is "ascertaining the details." The airline has provided a dedicated hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide information about the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief, stating that he was "stunned and saddened" by the tragedy.
The crash has also drawn international attention. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) would be the U.S. government's primary representative, and the FAA will provide technical support.
As rescue and recovery operations continue, the focus remains on supporting the affected families and investigating the cause of this devastating crash. The grief-stricken family of Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam, like countless others, now faces the agonizing task of mourning their loved one and seeking answers in the wake of this tragedy.
