In one of the worst aviation tragedies in recent Indian history, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed within a minute of takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick, killing 265 people, including 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian. The aircraft issued a MAYDAY call before crashing in the Meghaninagar area of the city. Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
To mark the national mourning, Air India changed its social media profile picture to black, and the Tata Group, which owns the airline, announced a ₹1 crore compensation for each victim’s family, along with full medical aid for survivors. Tata has also extended support in the rebuilding of the medical college premises that got damaged.
Investigation and Global Response
The tragedy marks the first-ever crash of a Boeing Dreamliner since the model began service in 2009, according to the Aviation Safety Network. U.S. aviation experts have expressed concern over early signs that the aircraft may not have been properly configured during takeoff. According to aviation consultant John M. Cox, grainy footage suggests potential issues with the slats and flaps, components critical for safe ascent.
British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad to express condolences. “The UK and India are working together to establish the facts,” she said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), thanking Indian first responders for their swift action.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have offered support to Indian authorities for the investigation. The NTSB, which investigates over 450 international crashes annually, is ready to assist upon formal request.
Tata Group and Air India Respond
Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran called the tragedy “one of the darkest days in Tata Group’s history,” pledging full support to the affected families. Apart from individual compensations and medical support, Tata Group has also promised aid for rebuilding the B.J. Medical College hostel, which was partially damaged in the crash.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson addressed the public in a somber video message, stating, “This is a difficult day for all of us. Right now, our focus is on the needs of the passengers, crew, and their families.” He urged the public to rely on verified information only, and announced a dedicated helpline (1-800-56-91-44) for families seeking updates.
Survivor Accounts and Community Impact
Amid the horror, stories of survivors are emerging. A passenger in seat 11A, seated next to an emergency exit, is among the few who made it out alive. Meanwhile, tributes pour in for pilot Sumeet Sabharwal, who had reportedly planned to retire from flying soon.
Viral images from before the flight show the last family selfie of a Rajasthan-based doctor and her husband with their children, now mourned by thousands. Social media users also condemned a local astrologer for claiming to have predicted a plane crash a week earlier.
As India reels from this immense loss, the global community watches closely, waiting for answers. The crash site investigation, compensation process, and international collaboration efforts are now underway—marking a long road to closure for grieving families.