As dawn broke over Ahmedabad, a sense of dread swept across two nations.
Air India Flight 171, bound for London Gatwick with 256 people on board, never made it to the landing runway.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off, triggering panic in India and the UK as families awaited news of their loved ones.
Carrying 256 people, the aircraft—registered as VT-ANB—plummeted near the airport, shattering hopes and leaving families in India and the United Kingdom in anguish.
The flight had been scheduled to land at Gatwick at 18:25, but it never made it.
Immediately, India’s Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, reacted with shock and sorrow.
“I am shocked and devastated,” he said, voicing the sentiments of a grieving nation.
Soon after, Air India’s chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, addressed the public in a sombre post on X.
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“With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India Flight 171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed today.
I offer my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this devastating event.”
Swift Emergency Response
Moving swiftly, Air India mobilised emergency support. Chandrasekaran stated,
“Our teams are supporting emergency crews at the crash site.
We are also reaching out to affected families to provide care and guidance during this incredibly difficult time.”
To assist those seeking information, the airline launched an emergency centre and formed support teams without delay.
Regularly, this Dreamliner flew between India and cities such as Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Amsterdam, and Melbourne.
On this day, however, it met a tragic end just minutes after take-off.
As the investigation begins and emergency responders search for answers, relatives wait in fear and hope.
While officials work to uncover what went wrong, a nation—and the world—mourns.
