An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday, with authorities reporting two survivors among the 242 passengers and crew. One of the passengers, a British national, was discovered alive in seat 11A, and was released immediately. The other is in the hospital
The flight, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese.
Earlier, Ahmedabad’s city police commissioner, GS Malik, told The Associated Press, “There appears to be no survivor in the crash.”
The plane crashed approximately 1.7 km from the airport in a residential area, causing additional casualties.
“And since the airplane has fallen on an area which was residential and had some offices, there are more casualties as well,” Malik added to AFP.
Over 90 emergency response workers, including the National Disaster Response Force and local fire services, are deployed at the crash site, located at coordinates 23°3’16.29″N 72°36’41.20″E, as confirmed by Al Jazeera’s Sanad agency.
Video footage shared by ANI shows rescue teams combing through rubble amid plumes of dark smoke.
Flightradar24 data revealed the aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, reached a maximum altitude of 625 feet before descending at a rate of -475 feet per minute.
The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has offered support, stating, “In the event assistance is requested, the NTSB is the official US representative and the FAA provides technical support. We stand ready to launch a team immediately in coordination with the NTSB.”
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with the aircraft’s substantial fuel load for the long-haul flight noted as a potential factor.
The tragedy has prompted condolences and commitments of aid from global leaders. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow on X, saying:
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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He confirmed ongoing coordination with authorities for relief efforts.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy also shared his grief, stating,
Deeply saddened by news of a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My thoughts are with all those affected. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support.
David Lammy.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Home Minister Amit Shah are en route to Ahmedabad to oversee operations, while the UK Foreign Office pledges urgent support for the 53 British nationals among the passengers.