Ahmedabad AIR INDIA Plane Crash: What We Know So far | Helpline Number - 1800-5691-444

Fresh details confirm there were 242 people on board the ill-fated AI 171 Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that plummeted into Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar area shortly after takeoff. The flight, en route to London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed at approximately 1:40 PM IST, leaving a trail of devastation and raising questions about the cause of the disaster.

Passenger Nationalities Revealed
Air India has released a breakdown of the nationalities of those on board, shedding light on the diverse group of travelers affected by the tragedy. According to the airline’s official statement, the 242 individuals included:
* 169 Indian nationals
* 53 British nationals
* 7 Portuguese nationals
* 1 Canadian national
The passenger manifest also indicated that 217 were adults and 11 were children, though further details about their identities remain limited as authorities prioritise rescue and recovery efforts. Among the passengers was reportedly former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose status remains unconfirmed at this time, adding a layer of political significance to the unfolding story.

Crew and Aircraft Details
The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot with over 8,200 hours of flight experience, alongside First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours. The crew also included 10 cabin members, bringing the total to 12 crew members. Reports indicate that the pilot issued a Mayday call to Air Traffic Control moments before the crash, suggesting a sudden and critical issue during the initial climb. The last signal from the aircraft was received at 08:08:51 UTC, just seconds after takeoff, according to “Flightradar24”.

What We Know So Far
The crash occurred in a densely populated residential area, Meghaninagar, near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, triggering a massive emergency response. Visuals from the scene depict a harrowing tableau of charred debris, thick black smoke, and a broken fuselage, with firefighters and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams working tirelessly to douse flames and search for survivors. Three NDRF teams, totalling 90 personnel from Gandhinagar, and additional units from Vadodara have been deployed to the site.

No official casualty figures have been released, but the scale of the disaster has led to fears of significant loss of life.
Air India has activated an emergency centre and set up a dedicated passenger hotline to assist families seeking information. The airline’s chairman, N. Chandrasekaran, emphasised that the “primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families,” pledging full cooperation with emergency response teams.

Impact on Ahmedabad Airport
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has been temporarily shut down, with all flight operations suspended until further notice. Flights to and from Ahmedabad have been diverted or delayed, causing significant disruptions. Authorities have cordoned off the crash site, urging civilians to stay clear to facilitate unobstructed emergency operations. The crash site is suspected to be residential hostel used by doctors while official confirmation is awaited.

Air India has issued a helpline number for queries and assistance - 1800-5691-444​