National: In a day shrouded in disbelief and despair, an Air India flight en route to London with 242 souls on board tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The devastating incident, involving flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, has sent shockwaves across the nation, prompting Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to voice his profound concern and offer prayers for those affected.
The ill-fated aircraft, bearing tail number VT-ANB, commenced its journey from Runway 23 at approximately 1:39 PM IST. However, the flight’s ascent was tragically cut short. Air traffic control reportedly received a “Mayday” distress call from the cockpit mere moments after departure, before all communication ceased abruptly. Eyewitness accounts, corroborated by preliminary reports, describe the aircraft plummeting to the ground just beyond the airport’s perimeter, with thick plumes of black smoke indicative of a severe impact.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, taking to microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter), expressed his deep anguish over the unfolding tragedy. “Deeply concerned by reports of an Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad. Praying for the safety and well-being of all passengers and crew members,” he posted, reflecting the collective anxiety gripping the nation. While official confirmations from Air India and aviation authorities were still awaited at the time of his post, CM Sarma’s immediate response underscored the gravity of the situation and the fervent hope for minimal casualties.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed the crash of AI-171, which was carrying 242 individuals, including both passengers and crew members. The flight was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot with over 8,200 hours of flying experience, alongside First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flight hours. Emergency response teams, comprising fire and rescue units, swiftly descended upon the crash site to contain the raging inferno and commence the grim search for survivors. As of now, there is no official confirmation regarding casualties, but fears are mounting that all 242 individuals on board may have tragically perished in the horrific incident.
A comprehensive investigation has been swiftly launched by the DGCA to ascertain the precise cause of this catastrophic crash. Crucial to this inquiry will be the retrieval and analysis of the aircraft’s black box and cockpit voice recorder, which are currently being located. The nation holds its breath for further updates as the situation continues to develop and the full extent of this devastating tragedy becomes clear.