Aizawl: Tragic Air India Crash Claims Lives, Two Northeast Crew Members Among Those On Board
Ahmedabad, June 12: A pall of gloom has descended upon the nation following the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, just five minutes after its takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport earlier today. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which departed at approximately 1:38 p.m. IST, plummeted near the Meghani area, close to the airport, igniting a large-scale emergency response and leaving debris scattered across the impact site, even affecting a nearby doctors’ hostel complex. Among the 242 individuals on board, comprising 230 passengers and 12 crew members, were two individuals from the Northeast – Lamnunthem Singson and Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailakpam, both identified as cabin crew members from Manipur.
The devastating incident has sent shockwaves through the region, with family members and colleagues of the two crew members reportedly in profound distress as the fate of those on board remains uncertain. Authorities are working tirelessly to confirm identities and provide crucial updates to the affected families. The flight was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar. Emergency response units, including local police, fire brigade, NDRF, and aviation authorities, mobilised swiftly at the scene, with officials reporting that 70-80% of the crash area has already been cleared.
The aircraft was carrying a diverse manifest of passengers, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. In the wake of the disaster, the Ministry of Civil Aviation promptly established an Operational Control Room to coordinate rescue and support efforts, urging families and the public to contact 011-24610843 and 9650391859 for information. Air India has also set up a dedicated passenger assistance hotline at 1800-5691-444. As a mark of solemn respect, Air India updated its official social media profile pictures to a black icon across all channels. Ambulances were immediately dispatched to the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad to aid in medical response and identification efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been briefed on the incident and has spoken with Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, directing them to travel to Ahmedabad to personally oversee the relief operations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a high-level investigation to ascertain the precise cause of the crash, focusing on any potential mechanical failures or external factors that may have contributed to this horrific tragedy. Air India has expressed its deepest condolences over the incident, reiterating its commitment to supporting the victims’ families and ensuring a thorough and transparent investigation is conducted. The tragic event has elicited an outpouring of grief and solidarity from across the nation and internationally.
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