Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 — A major aviation accident rocked the city of Ahmedabad this afternoon as an Air India flight bound for London’s Gatwick Airport crashed during takeoff. The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner registered as VT-ANB and operating as flight AI-171, went down shortly after lifting off from Runway 23 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
According to initial reports from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the plane was carrying 242 people, including two pilots and ten cabin crew members. The situation remains fluid, with search and rescue operations ongoing at the crash site in the Meghani Nagar area.
Flight Issued Emergency Call Before Losing Contact
DGCA Director Faiz Kidwai confirmed in a press note that the plane, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar, took off at 1:39 PM IST. Within moments, the crew sent a ‘Mayday’ emergency signal to Air Traffic Control (ATC). However, all communication ceased immediately after the distress call. The aircraft crashed just outside the airport perimeter, erupting in flames and sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Reportedly Onboard
Sources suggest that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the passengers on the ill-fated flight. His seat was reportedly located toward the front of the cabin. It remains unconfirmed whether he was traveling alone or accompanied by family members.
Government Responds Swiftly, Rescue Operations Underway
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken with both Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Ahmedabad’s Police Commissioner, instructing them to mobilize all emergency resources. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has departed for Ahmedabad to personally oversee the situation.
Emergency services, including fire brigades and medical teams, were dispatched to the site immediately after the crash. Rescue efforts are currently focused on locating survivors and assessing casualties. Hospitals across Ahmedabad have been put on alert to receive potential victims.
Cause of Crash Under Investigation
Preliminary accounts indicate that the aircraft collided with a boundary wall during takeoff, triggering the catastrophic fire. However, a formal investigation is underway to determine the precise sequence of events. DGCA and Air India are expected to collaborate closely in this high-priority probe.
As of now, there is no confirmed information about fatalities or injuries, and authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation. Families of the passengers are being contacted, and a special helpline has been established.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
