Indian skies succumb to an aerial tragedy: Indian Airlines Boeing 787 crashes after takeoff from Ahmedabad.

Arabian Sea - Exclusive

News Report Exclusive - Arabian Sea - Ahmedabad Air Tragedy Grips Indian Skies: Indian Airlines Boeing 787 Crashes After Takeoff from Ahmedabad Time and Location • Date: June 12, 2025, at approximately 1:38 PM local time (08:08 UTC), a tragic accident occurred in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. • Location: Lowlands of the Meghani Nagar residential area near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Flight Details • Flight: AI 171, from Ahmedabad Airport to London-Gatwick Airport, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, totaling 242 people. • Aircraft Type: Boeing 787-8 "Dreamliner" with registration number VT-ANB, the first fatal accident for this model since its entry into service in 2011. Sequence of Events 1. The aircraft took off from Runway 23 at Ahmedabad Airport, and an emergency (Mayday) was reported during takeoff. 2. It experienced a sudden descent less than a minute later at an altitude of only about 625 feet. 3. It crashed with great force and exploded in a fireball in a residential neighborhood, igniting intense fires and a vertical black smoke cloud. Casualties and Human Losses • No survivors on board; all crew and passengers perished. • Several dozen civilians who were in a severely damaged medical student dormitory building were also killed, and their numbers are being counted. • The list of victims includes multiple nationalities: 169 Indians, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian. Emergency Response • Fire and Ambulance Crews: More than five fire crews and dozens of ambulances were immediately deployed. • National Response Teams: Participation from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in addition to central-state government coordination. Official Reactions • Government Coordination: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow, and Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu and his Secretary-General are following up on the investigation and relief efforts first-hand. • International Partners: • Britain: The Foreign Office, under Secretary David Lammy, sent support and deemed the incident "devastating," and a crisis team was dispatched between London and New Delhi. • British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the scenes as "devastating." • Indian Airlines: Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran offered the company's condolences, emphasizing the commitment to full support for the families of the victims. Cause of the Accident and Investigation • The official cause is currently unknown; the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and technical teams from Boeing are working to retrieve data from the black boxes and conduct a field investigation. • The fire occurred with great force due to the fuel tanks being full in preparation for a long flight to London. • Observers pointed out that the landing gear was not retracted upon takeoff, which is unusual and may indicate a potential mechanical malfunction. Wider Repercussions • This tragedy is the largest air disaster in India in years and the first crash of a Boeing 787 "Dreamliner" worldwide. • The accident led to a drop in Boeing's shares by nearly 9% in international markets following the initial announcement. • International public opinion and relations between India and Britain face a test in responding to the crisis and compensating the victims. In conclusion; The AI 171 flight accident is a tragedy of immense proportions, involving a total loss of human life and technical and political complexities. Investigations are underway to determine the actual cause, while the spotlight is on the safety of long-range aircraft and the complexities of performance during emergencies. We will keep you updated on any developments as soon as they are received from official sources.