A devastating एयर इंडिया (Air India) plane crash near Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has claimed the lives of all 242 passengers and crew members on board, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The tragic incident occurred shortly after takeoff on Thursday, June 12, 2025, sending shockwaves throughout the nation and prompting immediate responses from government officials and emergency services.
Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, crashed in a residential area of Meghani Nagar approximately five minutes after departing from runway 23 at 1:39 PM IST. The aircraft, under the command of Captain Sumit Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kunder, issued a MAYDAY call to air traffic control (ATC), but communication was lost immediately thereafter. The fully fueled plane crashed just outside the airport perimeter.
The presence of Vijay Rupani, who served as Gujarat's Chief Minister from 2016 to 2021, on the ill-fated flight was confirmed. Rupani, 68, had completed his check-in for a business class seat, with booking reference 6FK2M2 and e-ticket number 0982865207073. His death marks a grim chapter in Gujarat's political history, echoing the tragic death of Balwantrai Mehta, another former Gujarat Chief Minister who died in an air accident decades ago.
The crash site was immediately engulfed in flames, fueled by the aircraft's heavy fuel load for the long-haul flight. Fire tenders and emergency response units rushed to the scene to combat the blaze and initiate rescue operations. The intensity of the fire and the extent of the wreckage complicated rescue efforts, and there were no survivors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the tragedy, stating that he was "stunned and saddened" by the news. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has instructed officials to carry out rescue and relief work on a "war footing" and ensure immediate medical treatment for the injured. A green corridor has been established to facilitate the swift transportation of victims to hospitals. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured Patel of full central support in managing the aftermath of the crash.
Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran issued a statement expressing "profound sorrow" and assuring full support to the affected families. The airline has confirmed that there were 230 adults and 2 infants among the passengers, along with 12 crew members. The passenger manifest included 169 Indian citizens, 53 British citizens, 7 Portuguese citizens, and 1 Canadian citizen.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a high-level inquiry into the cause of the crash. The Director of Airworthiness (DAW), Assistant Director of Airworthiness (ADAW), and one Flight Operations Inspector (FOI) are gathering detailed information about the incident. Preliminary investigations will focus on potential technical malfunctions, weather conditions, or pilot error. The aircraft's black box will be recovered to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the crash.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) in Ahmedabad has been temporarily shut down, and all flight operations have been suspended until further notice. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for updates and rebooking information.
