Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Air India Flight AI171 Crashes Minutes After Takeoff, 241 Feared Dead, 1 Survivor

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Air India Flight AI171

In a devastating aviation disaster, Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad airport this afternoon. The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, went down at approximately 1:30 PM, slamming into a hostel housing doctors of a nearby medical college. 

Officials confirmed that the pilot sent a mayday distress call shortly before all contact was lost with the air traffic control tower. Eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion and saw plumes of grey smoke billowing from the crash site. Emergency services rushed to the scene, with over two dozen ambulances deployed and multiple casualties transported to nearby hospitals.

Tragically, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those killed in the crash. His death was confirmed by Union Minister C.R. Patil.

In a statement, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he is personally overseeing the response and has instructed all aviation and emergency agencies to act swiftly. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the crash and launched an investigation into the incident.

In a rare miracle, 38-year-old Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada, seated in 11A, survived the crash. Video footage shows him injured but conscious, walking near the wreckage. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed Bucharvada’s survival, calling it a “miraculous escape.”

To assist in identifying the victims, Ahmedabad Civil Hospital is collecting DNA samples from close relatives of the deceased at Kasoti Bhavan, BJ Medical College. Officials are urging parents or children of missing passengers to come forward.

Air India Helpline Numbers: 

• 011-24610843

• 9650391859

• 1800-5691-444