The world is shocked after hearing the news of Air India Plane crash:
The crash of Air India Flight AI171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on Thursday, June 12, has left the world in shock and mourning. The flight went down near Ahmedabad’s Megh Nagar area just minutes after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in the afternoon.
The ill-fated aircraft was carrying 242 people on board — 230 passengers and 12 crew members — including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over the tragedy, and heartfelt tributes have also poured in from India’s sporting community. Among the first to react was two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, who offered her deepest condolences.
The sole survivor of the crash, a British national of Indian origin, is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital, the airline has confirmed. Speaking to Indian media, he recounted hearing a loud noise shortly after Air India Flight AI171 took off.
He was seated in 11A, located next to an emergency exit — a detail that may have played a crucial role in his survival.
Ahmedabad police chief G.S. Malik stated that the recovered bodies may include not only passengers but also individuals on the ground. Among the deceased is Vijay Rupani, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, whose capital is Ahmedabad.
To assist in identifying the victims, relatives have been requested to provide DNA samples, according to state health secretary Dhananjay Dwivedi.
The aftermath of the crash was devastating — parts of the aircraft’s fuselage were strewn across the smouldering remains of the building it struck, with the plane’s tail visibly lodged atop the structure.
CCTV footage captured the moment the aircraft took off over a densely populated residential area before vanishing from the frame. Moments later, a massive fireball erupted into the sky from beyond the houses, marking the tragic crash.
The world is in shock.
According to air traffic control at Ahmedabad Airport, the aircraft departed at 1:39 p.m. (0809 GMT). Shortly after takeoff, the flight issued a Mayday call, indicating an emergency situation. However, no further communication was received from the aircraft following the distress signal.
The exact cause of the crash remains unknown as investigators continue their search for the aircraft’s two black boxes. These flight recorders are crucial and are expected to provide vital information about the moments leading up to the tragedy.
